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The Believing Brain
From Spiritual Faiths to Political Convictions – How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths
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Format: Paperback / softback
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See more'The Believing Brain is a tour de force integrating neuroscience and the social sciences to explain how irrational beliefs are formed and reinforced' - Dr Leonard Mlodinow, author The Drunkard's Walk
The Believing Brain is a tour de force integrating neuroscience and the social sciences to explain how irrational beliefs are formed and reinforced.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Synthesizing thirty years of research, psychologist and science historian Michael Shermer upends the traditional thinking about how humans form beliefs about the world. Simply put, beliefs come first and explanations for beliefs follow. The brain, Shermer argues, is a belief engine. Using sensory data that flow in through the senses, the brain naturally looks for and finds patterns - and then infuses those patterns with meaning, forming beliefs.
Once beliefs are formed, our brains subconsciously seek out confirmatory evidence in support of those beliefs, which accelerates the process of reinforcing them, and round and round the process goes in a positive-feedback loop.
In The Believing Brain, Shermer provides countless real-world examples of how this process operates, from politics, economics, and religion to conspiracy theories, the supernatural, and the paranormal. Ultimately, he demonstrates why science is the best tool ever devised to determine whether or not our belief matches reality.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Believing Brain is praised for its exploration of the origins of belief through a blend of neuroscience and social sciences. Reviews highlight its engaging narrative filled with scientific evidence and real-world examples, making it both accessible and compelling. The book is recognised for its ability to challenge readers' understanding of their own beliefs and the rigidity found in religious and political views. Michael Shermer's work is described as a must-read for its articulate examination of justified and unjustified beliefs.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781780335292
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 07 June 2012
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Robinson
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 4.0mm
Width: 130.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 365g
Pages: 464
About the Author
Michael Shermer is the author of The Believing Brain, Why People Believe Weird Things, The Science of Good and Evil, The Mind Of The Market, Why Darwin Matters, Science Friction, How We Believe and other books on the evolution of human beliefs and behavior. He is the founding publisher of Skeptic magazine, the editor of Skeptic.com, a monthly columnist for Scientific American, and an adjunct professor at Claremont Graduate University. He lives in Southern California.
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