The believing brain : from ghosts and gods to politics and conspiracies--how we construct beliefs and reinforce them as truths / Michael Shermer
Material type:
TextPublisher: New York : Times Books, 2011Edition: 1st edDescription: xii, 385 p. : ill. ; 25 cmISBN: 9780805091250; 0805091254Subject(s): Belief and doubt | Knowledge, Theory of | Cognitive neuroscienceLOC classification: BF773 | .S54 2011| Item type | Home library | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book | A J M Library 868-5076 | 153.4 SHER (Browse shelf) | Available | 21191 |
Includes bibliographical references and index
Mr. D'Arpino's dilemma -- Dr. Collins's conversion -- A skeptic's journey -- Patternicity -- Agenticity -- The believing neuron -- Belief in the afterlife -- Belief in god -- Belief in aliens -- Belief in conspiracies -- Politics of belief -- Confirmations of belief -- Geographies of belief -- Cosmologies of belief -- Epilogue : the truth is out there
Shermer demonstrates how our brains selectively assess data in an attempt to confirm the conclusions (beliefs) we've already reached. Drawing on evolution, cognitive science, and neuroscience, he considers not only supernatural beliefs but political and economic ones as well
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