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.
Wheels
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal – unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. I can't imagine my life without this app – it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app.
Engine Eye
ListenBook's support for looping and shuffling playback adds versatility to my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Dallas Burn
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Turnip King
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! Audiobooks have never been this engaging – this app takes them to the next level. Easy chapter access and smooth playback. Love this app!
Mad Kid
Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. 🌟🎧 The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
Killer Curio
💡 This app has made my daily schedule more interesting – 'reading' on the go! 📱🚶♂️ My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
Sienna Princess
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. 🌟 Adding excitement to each day – this app ensures that every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories. 📚🚀 Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's design is a game-changer. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Abyss Tamer
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Moonflower
Audiobooks have made long flights feel like a breeze – a true travel essential. ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. 🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content.
Steel
This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences – time flies by! This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go.
Ex0tic
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Cosmic Presence
I've found solace in listening to audiobooks before bed – it's my form of meditation. Thanks to ListenBook's automatic extraction of artwork and metadata, my library looks organized and appealing. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
SpellTansy
Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Adjustable playback speed is a brilliant feature. It adds a layer of customization to my audiobook enjoyment.
VisionVoyager
🌟 Elevating everyday moments – this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. 📚✨ Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Steel Solstice
ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fun way to experiment with the audiobook experience. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Toe
I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Ship Whip
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
Prof. Smirk
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my content wherever I go. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app is your new best friend. Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. Simplifying audiobook adventures – this app's ease of use is a delight. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app.
Red Delicious
ListenBook has made my audiobook journey effortless, turning every moment into an escape. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧
Tweety
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's design focuses on seamless interaction. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a touch of elegance to my audiobook collection. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
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