In the Name of God
The Evolutionary Origins of Religious Ethics and Violence
Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Ethics & Moral Philosophy
| Author: | John Teehan | ISBN: | 9781444359138 |
| Publisher: | Wiley | Publication: | September 13, 2011 |
| Imprint: | Wiley-Blackwell | Language: | English |
| Author: | John Teehan |
| ISBN: | 9781444359138 |
| Publisher: | Wiley |
| Publication: | September 13, 2011 |
| Imprint: | Wiley-Blackwell |
| Language: | English |
Religion is one of the most powerful forces running through human history, and although often presented as a force for good, its impact is frequently violent and divisive. This provocative work brings together cutting-edge research from both evolutionary and cognitive psychology to help readers understand the psychological structure of religious morality and the origins of religious violence.
- Introduces a fundamentally new approach to the analysis of religion in a style accessible to the general reader
- Applies insights from evolutionary and cognitive psychology to both Judaism and Christianity, and their texts, to help understand the origins of religious violence
- Argues that religious violence is grounded in the moral psychology of religion
- Illustrates its controversial argument with reference to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the response to the attacks from both the terrorists and the President. Suggests strategies for beginning to counter the divisive aspects of religion
- Discusses the role of religion and religious criticism in the contemporary world. Argues for a position sceptical of the moral authority of religion, while also critiquing the excesses of the “new atheists” for failing to appreciate the moral contributions of religion
- Awarded Honourable Mention, 2010 Prose Awards
Religion is one of the most powerful forces running through human history, and although often presented as a force for good, its impact is frequently violent and divisive. This provocative work brings together cutting-edge research from both evolutionary and cognitive psychology to help readers understand the psychological structure of religious morality and the origins of religious violence.
- Introduces a fundamentally new approach to the analysis of religion in a style accessible to the general reader
- Applies insights from evolutionary and cognitive psychology to both Judaism and Christianity, and their texts, to help understand the origins of religious violence
- Argues that religious violence is grounded in the moral psychology of religion
- Illustrates its controversial argument with reference to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the response to the attacks from both the terrorists and the President. Suggests strategies for beginning to counter the divisive aspects of religion
- Discusses the role of religion and religious criticism in the contemporary world. Argues for a position sceptical of the moral authority of religion, while also critiquing the excesses of the “new atheists” for failing to appreciate the moral contributions of religion
- Awarded Honourable Mention, 2010 Prose Awards
