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.
TeederSmartie
Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Sugar Man
I'm amazed at how this app has turned my errands into exciting reading sessions. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
Twix Esses
I've become a loyal fan of audiobooks, and this app is the reason why! Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available. Adjustable playback speed and volume control make for a customized experience.
Mad Viral
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a brilliant way to connect. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's pure bliss. AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook!
Miss Nova
ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. π§ Making housework more enjoyable β audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. π§Ήπ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Manimal
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. I can't believe how seamless the integration with Apple Watch is. My workouts just got better.
Journeyman
The family subscription option is a money-saver β everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. Effortless audiobook management β this app's usability is a triumph.
Silver Cup
Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Bae
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day.
Sweet Bacon
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§ Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Predator
π‘ This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! π±π©βπ³ ListenBook's comprehensive format support makes it the ultimate companion for audiobook enthusiasts.
Mother Hen
Audiobooks on the go β this app's design prioritizes convenience. Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! π±π
Nola
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Morbid Sugar
π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ I love the auto-rewind feature after interruptions. No more searching for where I left off! As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Amphibi-Dangerous
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. π Say goodbye to boredom during long drives β this app makes road trips fly by! ππ Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Darkside Orbit
ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. This app's sleek design and intuitive features make it my trusted partner in exploring new narratives. πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience.
CuriousCrafter
I'm so grateful for this app β it's like having a personal storyteller wherever I go. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ Library organization and book groups make managing my audiobook collection a breeze.
57 Pixels
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality β a journey into captivating worlds. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Magenta
ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
Bitmap
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. I'm hooked on this app's seamless performance β it's like having a personal audiobook curator. Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience.
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