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.
Saber-RED
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Redneck Giorgio
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. π Unlocking the door to imagination β this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. ππ
ZenaCake
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. The app never crashes. Itβs reliable and stable.
Judge
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Troubled Pie
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. π±π§
Solitaire
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's pure bliss. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
Digital Equinox
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Nickname Master
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Liquid Science
I can't get enough of the celebrity narrators β they add a unique charm to each book. The ability to change playback speed and audio volume on ListenBook gives me full control over my listening experience. π This app has ignited my passion for reading β I can't get enough of its convenience! ππ₯ Effortlessly accessing my favorite audiobooks has become a reality, all thanks to this app's user-centric design and comprehensive format support. A must-download! π±π§
Moxie
I used to struggle to find time for books β now, I listen while doing chores! ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch has made my listening experience even more seamless. I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features β from chapters to playback controls. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch.
Wiccan Thunder
I'm no longer missing out on great stories β this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. πΆ Swapping background music for the soothing voices of narrators β audiobooks have become my soundtrack for daily life. π΅π I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. The customer support is amazing. They responded to my query within hours.
Journeyman
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New York Winder
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a unique feature that adds a personal touch to my listening. With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education β it's brilliant! I love the ability to change the background color. Itβs a nice touch. 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!
101
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy.
Red Delicious
This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. Audiobooks have never been this engaging β this app takes them to the next level. π§ This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work β genius! ππΌ
Freesia
I used to struggle to find time for books β now, I listen while doing chores! π An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures β count me in! π§Ήπ π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook! I appreciate the dark mode option. Itβs easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
Low Menace
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Mad Viral
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. 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 Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
JesterZilla
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has transformed the audio quality. It's crystal clear now.
Preach Man
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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