Evolving Brains, Emerging Gods

Early Humans and the Origins of Religion

In this book, E. Fuller Torrey draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to propose a startling answer to the ultimate question. Evolving Brains, Emerging Gods locates the origin of gods within the human brain, arguing that religious belief is a by-product of evolution.

Based on an idea originally proposed by Charles Darwin, Torrey marshals evidence that the emergence of gods was an incidental consequence of several evolutionary factors. Using data ranging from ancient skulls and artifacts to brain imaging, primatology, and child development studies, this book traces how new cognitive abilities gave rise to new behaviors.

For instance, autobiographical memory, the ability to project ourselves backward and forward in time, gave Homo sapiens a competitive advantage. However, it also led to comprehension of mortality, spurring belief in an alternative to death. Torrey details the neurobiological sequence that explains why the gods appeared when they did, connecting archaeological findings including clothing, art, farming, and urbanization to cognitive developments.

This book does not dismiss belief but rather presents religious belief as an inevitable outcome of brain evolution. Providing clear and accessible explanations of evolutionary neuroscience, Evolving Brains, Emerging Gods will shed new light on the mechanics of our deepest mysteries.

The book is published by Columbia University Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

"This is the book I have been waiting for…" (Religion)

"Richly rewarding...Highly recommended." (Choice)

"A wonderful addition to the current corpus sitting at the intersection of religion and evolution." (Reading Religion)

©2017 Columbia University Press (P)2021 Redwood Audiobooks

How the evolution of the human brain might have led to (or allowed) religions.

The author did a nice job of describing alternative explanations for the advent of religion in the last hour of the audio version.

Narrator was monotone, but fascinating content

Narrator's voice droned on and it seemed like he was purposefully trying to be monotone, but the content was excellent and engaging. The contrast between the bland performance and interesting material was jarring at first, but all in all a great listen

Evolving Brains

This was good information.It is interesting to learn where ideas come from.Peter Lerman was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

The narration is unbearable

This was a difficult listen due to the narration. Which is a shame because the subject matter was interesting.