Darwin's Cathedral: Evolution, Religion, and the Nature of Society - Softcover

"By forcing us to consider religious faith as a crucial factor in human evolution, Wilson simultaneously invites us to celebrate the beauty and motivating power of religion."--Robert C. Fuller "Religious Studies Review " "What kind of Jekyll-and-Hydra-headed beast is this thing called religious faith? In the view of Wilson . . . a very natural and very powerful beast indeed, and one that helps explain humanity's rise to global dominance. Wilson, a renowned evolutionary biologist, proposes that religion--with all of its institutional, emotional, and prescriptive trappings--ranks as a kind of mega-adaptation: a trait that evolved because it conferred advantages on those who bore it."--Natalie Angier "New York Times " "This is a rare work of science, both hard and social, that approaches religion from a positive perspective. As such, almost everyone . . . will undoubtedly take issue with it. But is not provocation one of the reasons books are published? . . . . I think this would be a fascinating book to discuss in a book club."--Herman A. Peterson "Catholic Library World " "Thoughtful and provocative. . . . Wilson turns to religion, which, he claims, can be explained only by group selection. According to Wilson, a religion is the human equivalent of a pack of lions: by cooperating as a group, people attain benefits beyond their reach as individuals."--Times Literary Supplement "It is not until biologist Wilson published Darwin's Cathedral that the evolutionary study of religion appears to have passed a Rubicon. . . . Fifteen years after . . ., Wilson continues to make substantial contributions to the evolutionary study of religion. . . . We appreciate and celebrate the fifteen-year anniversary of Wilson's seminal theoretical contributions in Darwin's Cathedral, which propelled the contemporary evolutionary study of religion forward. We hope that his current work has a parallel impact, encouraging collaborative fieldwork, which will ultimately advance the empirical study of religion."--Religion, Brain & Behavior A Times Literary Supplement Book of the Year--Times Literary Supplement "Obviously, the main subject of Darwin's Cathedral--religion--is widely contentious. In addition, many of the subjects which Wilson draws to interpret religion--subjects such as group selection, adaptation, hypothesis testing, and how to 'do' science--are contentious among scientists. Discussions of these subjects tend to be partisan, oversimplified, and riddled with misstatements. A great virtue of Wilson's book is the scrupulous fairness with which he treats controversial matters. He is careful to define concepts, to assess both their range of applicability and their limitations, and to avoid posturing, misrepresentations, exaggerated claims, and cheap rhetorical devices. Thus, Wilson's book is more than just an attempt to understand religion. Even to readers with no interest in either religion or science, his book can serve as a model of how to discuss controversial subjects honestly."--Jared Diamond "New York Review of Books " "As always, Wilson writes well and clearly and in a stimulating and provocative style. The book is interesting and important, and there can be no higher praise. . . . I applaud the approach taken by Wilson, and I urge you to read Darwin's Cathedral."--Michael Ruse "Science "