Behind Every Illusion
Author: Christina Harner
Publisher: Christina Harner
Published: 2009-05
Total Pages: 503
ISBN-13: 097954324X
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The Illusion of God's Presence
Author: John C. Wathey
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Published: 2016
Total Pages: 464
ISBN-13: 1633880745
DOWNLOAD EBOOKAn essential feature of religious experience across many cultures is the intuitive feeling of God's presence. More than any rituals or doctrines, it is this experience that anchors religious faith, yet it has been largely ignored in the scientific literature on religion.Starting with a vivid narrative account of the life-threatening hike that triggered his own mystical experience, biologist John Wathey takes the reader on a scientific journey to find the sources of religious feeling and the illusion of God's presence. His book delves into the biological origins of this compelling feeling, attributing it to innate neural circuitry that evolved to promote the mother-child bond. Dr. Wathey argues that evolution has programmed the infant brain to expect the presence of a loving being who responds to the child's needs. As the infant grows into adulthood, this innate feeling is eventually transferred to the realm of religion, where it is reactivated through the symbols, imagery, and rituals of worship. The author interprets our various conceptions of God in biological terms as illusory supernormal stimuli that fill an emotional and cognitive vacuum left over from infancy. These insights shed new light on some of the most vexing puzzles of religion, like the popular belief in a god who is judgmental and punishing, yet also unconditionally loving; the extraordinary tenacity of faith; the greater religiosity of women relative to men; religious obsessions with sex; the mysterious compulsion to pray; the seemingly irrepressible feminine attributes of God, even in traditionally patriarchal religions; and the strange allure of cults. Finally, Dr. Wathey considers the hypothesis that religion evolved to foster reproductive success, arguing that, in an age of potentially ruinous overpopulation, magical thinking has become a luxury we can no longer afford, one that distracts us from urgent threats to our planet.Deeply researched yet elegantly written in a jargon-free and accessible style, this book presents a compelling interpretation of the evolutionary origins of spirituality and religion.
Champions of Illusion
Author: Susana Martinez-Conde
Publisher: Scientific American / Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Published: 2017-10-24
Total Pages: 178
ISBN-13: 0374120404
DOWNLOAD EBOOKA collection of visual illusions with explanations of the science behind them, gathered from the Best Illusions of the Year contest. --
Exploring the Illusion of Free Will and Moral Responsibility
Author: Gregg D. Caruso
Publisher: Lexington Books
Published: 2013-07-05
Total Pages: 335
ISBN-13: 073917732X
DOWNLOAD EBOOKExploring the Illusion of Free Will and Moral Responsibility investigates the philosophical and scientific arguments for free will skepticism and their implications. Skepticism about free will and moral responsibility has been on the rise in recent years. In fact, a significant number of philosophers, psychologists, and neuroscientists now either doubt or outright deny the existence of free will and/or moral responsibility—and the list of prominent skeptics appears to grow by the day. Given the profound importance that the concepts of free will and moral responsibility hold in our lives—in understanding ourselves, society, and the law—it is important that we explore what is behind this new wave of skepticism. It is also important that we explore the potential consequences of skepticism for ourselves and society. Edited by Gregg D. Caruso, this collection of new essays brings together an internationally recognized line-up of contributors, most of whom hold skeptical positions of some sort, to display and explore the leading arguments for free will skepticism and to debate their implications.
Sensation and Perception
Author: Bennett L. Schwartz
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2017-12-27
Total Pages: 1230
ISBN-13: 1506383890
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThe highly accessible Sensation and Perception presents a current and accurate account of modern sensation and perception from both a cognitive and neurocognitive perspective. To show students the relevance of the material to their everyday lives and future careers, authors Bennett L. Schwartz and John H. Krantz connect concepts to real-world applications, such as driving cars, playing sports, and evaluating risk in the military. Interactive Sensation Laboratory Exercises (ISLE) provide simulations of experiments and neurological processes to engage readers with the phenomena covered in the text and give them a deeper understanding of key concepts. The Second Edition includes a revamped version of the In Depth feature from the previous edition in new Exploration sections that invite readers to learn more about exciting developments in the field. Additionally, new Ponder Further sections prompt students to practice their critical thinking skills with chapter topics.
Living Without Free Will
Author: Derk Pereboom
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2006-11-02
Total Pages: 257
ISBN-13: 0521029961
DOWNLOAD EBOOKArgues that morality, meaning and value remain intact even if we are not morally responsible for our actions.
Illusion of Separation
Author: Giles Hutchins
Publisher: Floris Books
Published: 2014-10-06
Total Pages: 219
ISBN-13: 1782501436
DOWNLOAD EBOOKOur modern patterns of thinking and learning are all based on observing a world of 'things', which we think of as separate building blocks. This worldview allows us to count and measure objects without their having any innate value; it provides neat definitions and a sense of control over life. However, this approach also sets humans apart from each other, and from nature.In reality, in nature, everything is connected in a fluid, dynamic way. 'Separateness' is an illusion we have created -- and is fast becoming a dangerous delusion infecting how we relate to business, politi, and other key areas of our daily reality.Giles Hutchins argues that the source of our current social, economic and environmental issues springs from the misguided way we see and construct our world. With its roots in ancient wisdom, this insightful book sets out an accesssible, easy to follow exploration of the causes of our current crises, offering ways to rectify these issues at source and then pointing to a way ahead.
Consciousness
Author: Susan Blackmore
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2017
Total Pages: 169
ISBN-13: 0198794738
DOWNLOAD EBOOKSome of our most burning questions surround consciousness: What creates our identity? Do we really have free will? Is consciousness itself an illusion? The rapid rate of developments in brain science continues to open up debate on these issues. This book clarifies the complex arguments and illuminates the major theories on consciousness.
The Self Illusion
Author: Bruce Hood
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2012-06-15
Total Pages: 368
ISBN-13: 0199969892
DOWNLOAD EBOOKMost of us believe that we are unique and coherent individuals, but are we? The idea of a "self" has existed ever since humans began to live in groups and become sociable. Those who embrace the self as an individual in the West, or a member of the group in the East, feel fulfilled and purposeful. This experience seems incredibly real but a wealth of recent scientific evidence reveals that this notion of the independent, coherent self is an illusion - it is not what it seems. Reality as we perceive it is not something that objectively exists, but something that our brains construct from moment to moment, interpreting, summarizing, and substituting information along the way. Like a science fiction movie, we are living in a matrix that is our mind. In The Self Illusion, Dr. Bruce Hood reveals how the self emerges during childhood and how the architecture of the developing brain enables us to become social animals dependent on each other. He explains that self is the product of our relationships and interactions with others, and it exists only in our brains. The author argues, however, that though the self is an illusion, it is one that humans cannot live without. But things are changing as our technology develops and shapes society. The social bonds and relationships that used to take time and effort to form are now undergoing a revolution as we start to put our self online. Social networking activities such as blogging, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter threaten to change the way we behave. Social networking is fast becoming socialization on steroids. The speed and ease at which we can form alliances and relationships is outstripping the same selection processes that shaped our self prior to the internet era. This book ventures into unchartered territory to explain how the idea of the self will never be the same again in the online social world.
Sunset Illusions
Author: Stephen Bilunka
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Published: 1999-12-19
Total Pages: 350
ISBN-13: 1587210274
DOWNLOAD EBOOK" Come In Out of The Rain ", came to her on a stormy night several years ago. Though she felt nervous about publishing it, she forged onward. The story is about a teenage girl that becomes abducted by a mad man. There are many twists and turns in the story. Becoming familiar with each of the characters is comfortable and fun. Some will be hated and some will be loved. You will not be angered or saddened by the end of the book. Catherine has great appeal for stories with a sunny ending.
