Book description
Does neuroscience have anything to say about religious belief or the existence of God? Some have tried to answer this question, but, in doing so, most have strayed from the scientific method. In The Phantom God, computational biologist and neuroscientist John C. Wathey, Ph.D., tackles this problem head-on, exploring religious feelings not as the direct perception by the brain of some supernatural realm, nor as the pathological misfiring of neurons, but as a natural consequence of how our brains are wired. Unlike other neurobiological studies of religion and spirituality, The Phantom God treats mysticism not as something uniquely human and possibly supernatural in origin, but as a completely natural phenomenon that has behavioral and evolutionary roots that can be traced far back into our vertebrate ancestry. Grounded in evolutionary and behavioral biology, this highly original and compelling book takes the reader on a journey through the neural circuitry of crying, innate knowledge, reinforcement learning, emotional bonding, embodiment, interpersonal perception, and the ineffable feeling of certainty that characterizes faith. Wathey argues that the feeling of God's presence is spawned by innate neural circuitry, similar to the mechanism that compels an infant to cry out for its mother. In an adult, this circuitry can be activated under conditions that mimic the extreme desperation and helplessness of infancy, generating the compelling illusion of the presence of a loving, powerful, and all-knowing savior. When seen from this perspective, the illusion also appears remarkably like one that has long been familiar to neurologists: the phantom limb of the amputee, spawned by the expectation of the patient's brain that the missing limb should still be there. Including a primer on the basic concepts and terminology of neuroscience, The Phantom God details the neural mechanisms behind the illusions and emotions of spiritual experience.
Ex0tic
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Grave Digger
ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you! I love the car mode. It’s so convenient for listening while driving.
Foot-long Fry
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Athena Star
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Lucky Martian
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Sweet Bacon
Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. The interface is sleek and intuitive, making my audiobook experience a joy. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Lady Pomegranate
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Roma Kabuki
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true – no more hassles! ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Muzish
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption – a fantastic way to measure my progress. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. I can't get enough of this app – it's a true game-changer for book lovers.
Sky Herald
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasn’t blown away. The narrator’s performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Sky Herald
ListenBook's compatibility with various audio formats ensures that I can enjoy a wide range of content hassle-free. The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient – no more complicated processes. Streamlining audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is truly impressive.
VisionVoyager
ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
Dahlia
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Trash
I love how this app allows me to enjoy books even when I'm on the move. ListenBook's intuitive controls and features have made it my preferred choice for audiobooks.
Ember Rope
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities. The app is so well-designed. It’s clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Light Despair
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Find It Girl
ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my constant source of books. 🚶♀️📱 I'm exploring new worlds while on the move, all thanks to this app's seamless functionality. 🏞️📚 User-friendly audiobook experience – this app's design is a standout. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
Don Stab
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my passport to countless stories. Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Mr. Peppermint
I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction makes sure that background distractions don't interfere with my listening. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. I’ll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Atlantic Rim
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience