Can We Be Good Without God?: Biology, Behavior, and the Need to Believe (Hardcover)

Can We Be Good Without God?: Biology, Behavior, and the Need to Believe Book Description

In this provocative study of the connection between belief and behavior, Buckman reviews the history of religious belief, and explains data from neuroscience experiments that show a physical cause for religious thoughts.
Recent neurological studies have shown that there are regions of the brain that seem predisposed to create beliefs. Are we hardwired to believe? And if so, why do beliefs sometimes inspire major contributions to society, while on other occasions they precipitate horrendous acts of destruction?

In this provocative and stimulating study of the connection between belief and behavior, Dr. Robert Buckman begins by reviewing the history of religious belief, showing the many shared themes among religions of diverse cultures. He then explains little-publicized data from neuroscience on the limbic system and the right-hand temporal lobe of the brain, which when stimulated consistently produces deep-seated spiritual feelings. Recent experiments reveal that this portion of the brain may underlie the development of many common religious beliefs, and perhaps the more aggressive and destructive behaviors associated with some of them. Buckman also summarizes evidence regarding pheromones and their effect on the limbic system, as a possible mechanism for certain types of crowd behavior, whether in a religious or secular context.

Finally, considering the long historical relationship between religion and ethics, Buckman asks whether we can develop better, nontheistic belief systems that avoid the destructive aspects of traditional religious beliefs. He then describes ways in which we can become aware of, and perhaps, correct our "limbic urges" when they threaten to lead to destructive behavior. This ambitious work, synthesizing research from many disciplines, provides much insight into the mechanisms of belief and religious fanaticism.

About the Author :

Robert Buckman has contributed to Can We Be Good Without God?: Biology, Behavior, and the Need to Believe as an author. Dr. Robert Buckman is a medical oncologist at Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Center in Toronto and a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto. He is the author of numerous books, including How to Break Bad News and What You Really Need to Know about Cancer, both available from Johns Hopkins.

Rob Buckman has contributed to Can We Be Good Without God?: Biology, Behavior, and the Need to Believe as an author. Dr. Robert Buckman is a medical cancer specialist and the author of "I Don't Know What to Say: How to Help and Support Someone Who Is Dying," and "What You Really Need to Know about Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide for Patients and Their Families," the latter available from Johns Hopkins.

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