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.
Sky Dahlia
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Black Mustard
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LoreLoomer
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SereneScribe
This app has brought stories to life in a way that traditional reading never could. Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. ππ§ ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends.
Blackfire
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Cabbie
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QuestQuill
This app has enriched my daily routine with the joy of stories and knowledge. π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ± π§ Making housework more enjoyable β audiobooks turn mundane chores into moments of discovery. π§Ήπ An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§ Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience.
Freeway
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. πΆββοΈπ Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier β this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. π§ποΈ Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. ππ§ ListenBookβs audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
NeoGermal
Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features.
Troubled Pie
Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. The narrators on this app are truly talented β they bring characters to life. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are fantastic features. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Snow Hound
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch.
Waylay Dave
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive offerings, from statistics tracking to immersive audio processing, have breathed new life into my reading. πβ¨ Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to share stories and connect with friends.
Nibbler
ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Terror Master
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful β I'm hooked! Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read β this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening.
Automatic Slicer
I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§ ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. I love how I can create playlists. Itβs perfect for organizing my books.
Feline Devil
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my passport to countless stories. Looping playback helps me revise and memorize complex topics effectively. A study essential!
Pop Bee
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests.
Phoenix Tetra
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive controls β it's the perfect way to indulge in audiobooks. With this app, I've unlocked the secret to reading even on the busiest days. The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
GuTzd
ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations.
Junkyard Dog
With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative touch that adds a layer of personalization. ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening 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