With the gulf between rationalists and adherents of intelligent design widening daily, dennett has written a timely and provocative book that will be read and passionately. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers all about breaking the spell. Dennett, 9780141017778, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Why the 10 most popular arguments for god dont work duration. Neither the kind of scholastic capabilities dennett holds nor the subject of penetrating the defensive shroud which cherishes religious conviction is anything altogether new in the writing dissecting religion.
Religion as a natural phenomenon by daniel dennett 450pp, penguin. Religion as a natural phenomenon ebook written by daniel c. Breaking the spell is daniel dennett s most innovative and important work yet. His books include from bacteria to bach and back, freedom evolves, consciousness explained and darwins dangerous idea, a finalist for the national book. Not an antireligious screed but an unblinking look beneath the veil of orthodoxy, breaking the spell will be read and debated by believers and skeptics alike. In this book he is confronting the philosophical questions arising from religion in the modern world. Daniel dennett explains his book breaking the spell youtube. Think of the people who are addicted to drugs, or gambling, or alcohol, or child pornography. Not an antireligious screed but an unblinking look beneath the veil of orthodoxy, breaking the spell will be.
Even in shaky democracies, what the leaders be lieve about the beliefs that prevail in their countries influences what they take their realistic options to be, so belief maintenance is an important political goal in its own right. Dennett paul mcgavins faith remains unshaken by daniel dennett this is a tiresome and silly book, especially for catholic readers who have a thoughtthrough understanding of their living faith. Breaking the spell is a work of considerable historical interest, because it is a merry. Dennett is extrapolating back to human prehistory with the aid of biological thinking, nothing more.
As it stands, though, breaking the spell succeeds in getting its intended message across, and it does so in a manner that would not frighten off its intended audience the average lay theist. Feb 01, 2007 dennett admits that religion is a taboo subject and deals with it with great sensibility and respect. Surprisingly, given that this is reputed to be a militant atheist text, dennett doesnt here make any challenge to the truth of peoples religious beliefs, but merely argue what to me seems a point barely worth arguing. Mar 31, 2011 part i of dennett s breaking the spell. He analyzed the purpose of religion and described religion as a cultural. Breaking the spell an innovative thinker tackles the controversial question of why people believe in god and how religion shapes lives and futures by taking a look at history, philosophy, and psychology. Religion as a natural phenomenon enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Ranging through biology, history, and psychology, daniel c. Booktopia has breaking the spell, religion as a natural phenomenon by daniel c.
The title of dennetts book, breaking the spell, refers his insistence that religious beliefs should be examined logically and scientifically to an admirable. Shipping may be from our sydney, nsw warehouse or from our uk or us warehouse, depending on stock availability. Mar 19, 2006 professor dennett talked about his book breaking the spell. Dennett explores how the great ideas of religion have enthralled us for thousands of years and whether we. Dennett, professor of philosophy at tufts university, presented his lecture in the nature of knowledge series, breaking the. Our cheap used books come with free delivery in the uk.
Not an antireligious creed but an unblinking look beneath the veil of orthodoxy, breaking the spell will be. Dennett charts religions evolution from wild folk belief to domesticated dogma. Breaking the spell offers the first fulllength study that charts the historical trajectory of anarchistinflected video activism from the late 1960s to the present. Religion as a natural phenomenon kindle edition by daniel c. Religion as a natural phenomenon, daniel dennett, director of the center for cognitive studies at tufts university, has embarked on another of his seemingly impossible quests. Even more important than political beliefs, in the eyes of many. It is hard being an atheist with a sense of proportion. Professor dennett talked about his book breaking the spell. Religion as a natural phenomenon reprint by dennett, daniel c.
Breaking the spell, religion as a natural phenomenon by. It feels like a genuine investigation rather than a mere polemic, and while theres nothing inherently wrong with either approach, this one brings a. Breaking the spell is a fairy tale told by evolutionary biology. Daniel dennett explains his book breaking the spell.
Dennett explores how the great ideas of religion have enthralled us for thousands of years and whether we could or should break free. Dennett s bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. For all the thousands of books that have been written about religion, few until this one have attempted to examine it scientifically. Breaking the spell by daniel dennett books the guardian. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading breaking the spell. The book is intended for lay peoplespecifically lay people who have religious beliefs. The recent new york times almanac wright, 2007 reported that in 2005, 74% of the worlds. Breaking the spell is merely dennetts way of broaching the topic, throwing out ideas that those who do have more experience than dennett in these fields can attempt to refute or prove. Religion as a natural phenomenon kindle edition by dennett, daniel c download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Religion as a natural phenomenon audible audiobook unabridged daniel c. The spell that requires breaking is not religious belief itself but the belief that it is offlimits to or beyond scientific inquiry. Dennett doesnt accept by any implies that we intentionally abuse each other through religion, he additionally investigates the topic of how components of human science may be used by human culture through a chronicled procedure not particularly guided by human wiles. Religion as a natural phenomenon by dennett, daniel c. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read breaking the spell.
Essentially, dennett s main thesis is that we should take steps towards developing naturalistic theories as to religions origin. Breaking the spell is merely dennett s way of broaching the topic, throwing out ideas that those who do have more experience than dennett in these fields can attempt to refute or prove. Dennett admits that religion is a taboo subject and deals with it with great sensibility and respect. It feels like a genuine investigation rather than a mere polemic, and while theres nothing inherently wrong with either approach, this one brings a calm precision to the table. In this work, dennett continues down the in this work, dennett continues down the path he laid out in previous books, this time taking on the topic of religion. Philosophical obstacles to a science of consciousness is a 2005 book by the american philosopher daniel dennett, based on the text of the jean nicod lectures he gave in 2001. In breaking the spell dan dennett takes the time to set out the scope of his inquiry and to tackle questions in the right order. Each chapter of this book examines religion through a different angle and the message that emerges in the end is that there is nothing to fear in breaking the spell of religion. In this essay, i will examine the attempt of daniel dennett 2006 to break two spells regarding religion, a phenomenon that captivates most people on earth. Dennett wrote religious cults or pseudo religions and political fanatics are not the only casters of evil spells today. No one in this country will persecute you and its not really very hard to disbelieve in god, but the temptation to strike attitudes in front of the universe persists.
Never the twain shall meetthis is a bad idea according to dennett. Religion as a natural phenomenon, published by viking. Religion as a natural phenomenon is a 2006 book by the philosopher and cognitive scientist daniel dennett, in which the author argues that religion is in need of scientific analysis so that its nature and future may be better understood. Breaking the spell is not an antireligious screed but rather an eyeopening exploration of the role that belief plays in our lives, our interactions, and our country. Daniel dennett, an ardent darwinian, begins his book breaking the spell with a similar adaptation that seems more like the product of a satanic sadist than a compassionate creator. Dennett is university professor, professor of philosophy, and codirector of the center for cognitive studies at tufts university. In a spirited narrative that ranges widely through history, philosophy, and psychology, dennett explores how organized religion evolved from folk beliefs and why it is such a potent force today.
Breaking the spell suggests the removal of an external influence, probably a malign one. Daniel dennett doesnt take the idea seriously enough in his naturalistic account of faith, breaking the spell, says. Dennett seeks to uncover the origins of religion and discusses how and why different faiths have shaped so many lives, whether religion is an. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Religion as a natural phenomenon includes three chapters and runs up to around page 90. The title of dennetts book, breaking the spell, refers his insistence that religious beliefs should be examined logically and scientifically to his book addresses the adherents of organized religion. In breaking the spell, dennett argues that the time has come to shed the light of science on the fundamental questions of faith. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Evolution and the meanings of life shattered a lot of my conceptions about how to think about design, biology, and the repercussions of darwinistic thinking outside of biology. Dennett for all the thousands of books that have been written about religion, few until this one have attempted to examine it scientifically. Feb 19, 2006 for a sorry instance of presentday scientism, it would be hard to improve on daniel c. Buy a discounted paperback of breaking the spell online from australias leading online bookstore. An innovative thinker tackles the controversial question of why we believe in god and how religion sh.
Not an antireligious creed but an unblinking look beneath the veil of orthodoxy, breaking the spell will be read and debated by believers and skeptics alike. And now comes daniel dennett to take his turn at breaking the spell. Daniel dennett is a professor and director of the center for cognitive studies at tufts university, and the author of the highly acclaimed darwins dangerous idea, consciousness explained. Discover more authors youll love listening to on audible. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Religion as a natural phenomenon, daniel dennett hopes to break the spell not of religious belief, but of the conviction that it is not a fit subject for scientific inquiry. Video plays an increasingly important role among activists in the growing global resistance against neoliberal capitalism.
Dennett offers a wealth of examples and possible counterarguments, and his explanation of the evolution of religion is certainly interesting. C dennett and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Breaking the spell by daniel dennett the best bits youtube. Religion as a natural phenomenon is a 2006 book by the. Religion as a natural phenomenon has 4 available editions to buy at half price books marketplace. Religion as a natural phenomenon 9780141017778 by dennett, daniel clement and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Feb 06, 2007 in breaking the spell dan dennett takes the time to set out the scope of his inquiry and to tackle questions in the right order.
125 280 1366 192 1553 99 1495 1040 1389 333 1033 1657 1106 240 1656 923 1319 1577 311 369 1283 1351 869 973 1355 50 1547 1514 160 1648 173 143 1438 1151 1195 1113 870 1162 1143 1491 773 1237 1167 1458 647 267 593