Customer Reviews

The Third Basic Instinct: How Religion Doesn't Get You

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I had an affinity with this book. Alex S. Key has done his homework. His book, The Third Basic Instinct, has a very powerful message delivered in a very straightforward way, citing examples from history, philosophy, popular culture, and direct sources from the Bible, Quran, etc. I found the book fascinating in that the author tackled religious farce on so many different levels but always starting from a basic point: Our third basic instinct. To Key, it is this third instinct that created religion, to explain the unknowns in the world around us.

Another very interesting part of this book was Key's description of what he called the "Platinum Rule", as opposed to the Golden Rule that people all over the world have been raised to know (do unto others as you would have them do unto you). In Key's Platinum Rule, selfishness, in a long-term perspective, is actually a virtue as the benefits are in the future and tend to have positive effects on society. This is in direct opposition to short-term and short-sighted selfishness which benefits the few.

The Third Basic Instinct is quite an eye-opening book, even for guys like me who have read several similar books before. The fact that Key has used so many varied sources has served the author well to keep the book interesting--and an interesting read in my opinion tends to be a light read, no matter how heavy or serious the subject of the book is. I believe that this book has the potential to serve as a base for Key to become one of our rising stars in social commentary. I am really interested to see what he comes up with next!

As a woman watching the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics, I was
reminded of the importance of books like Alex S. Key's " The Third Basic Instinct."
During the Saudi, Afghan, and United Arab Emirates' procession of athletes, we all heard Matt Lauer and Bob Costas discuss the fact that these countries do not allow women to play sports or compete. In many countries women are not even allowed to travel without a chaperone, ride a bike or drive a car. This book does a great job of highlighting the dangers of religious conformism, but it does so much more. It provides a new awareness of how the mind works and can actually educate people - and you don't have to have a PHD to read it. Living in the US were religious conformism is gaining a new foothold, I hope that more people will read this book to preserve our lifestyle of human rights and tolerance - and for some parts of the world, perhaps one day provide it for the
first time.

This book is in four parts, each like individual books with their own sub-sections.

Part One: Why Basic Instincts. (5/5) In this part, Key uses the three basic instincts to create a framework to understand the mind and religion. His dramatic real-world examples keep the dialogue riveting. He reveals the third basic instinct, showing how it is not only behind some of our greatest achievements, but also behind man's unique evolution.

Part Two: The Origin of Gods. (5/5) In this part, the author uses the third basic instinct to show how religion began. He again uses dramatic and sometimes stunning true stories to convince us, taking us as far back as pre-historic times, ancient Egypt, the American Revolution, and many other places.

Part Three: Selfish Morality. (4/5) He creates a rule called the "platinum rule", to improve upon the "golden rule", showing how accepted models of moral behavior fall under the platinum rule. He shows how religion can occasionally go against true moral behavior, remaining balanced between Islam, Christianity and Judaism, while positive role models like Warren Buffet, Mark Twain and others provide an optimistic tone.

Part Four: Unnatural Selection. (5/5) Examines the origin of jihad, honor crimes against women, and other cultural horrors--and their impact on human evolution today. The science is edgier as Key puts forward a shocking theory on how sports originated and how oil affects evolution. The book ends on a dramatic and optimistic note, but it is a conditional optimism.

Key succeeds in educating while entertaining, using basic instincts to tie everything together. Its ambitious goal is to provide a framework to understand the mind and religion. I believe it accomplishes this, while using humor along the way. Ranks among the upper echelons of secular popular science books, and one of the easiest books in its class to read.

The Third Basic Instinct: How Religion Doesn't Get You by Alex S. Key

"The Third Basic Instinct..." is an accessible book about the three basic instincts that defines us as humans. It also takes a look at personal beliefs systems and how religion interferes with our human nature. This 308-page book is composed of the following four parts: 1. Why Basic Instincts?, 2. The Origin of Gods, 3. Selfish Morality, and 4.Unnatural Selection.

Positives:
1. A well written, interesting, page-turning book that was fun to read.
2. Well researched, plenty of fascinating facts throughout the book.
3. A clever look at our three basic instincts.
4. Plenty of brain candy in this book. In other words, a lot of interesting facts regarding how our brains work at an accessible level.
5. The psychological keys to marketing.
6. The tale of the evil Wedge Document.
7. Honestly, where would we be without evolution?
8. Simply, "You are your brain and your brain is you."
9. Great scientific and even presidential quotes abound.
10. The importance of nature and nurture.
11. Anthropology...you gotta' love it.
12. Evolutionary psychology .
13. An interesting look at our beliefs. How belief systems were created.
14. Want to know what animal is the biggest killer of humans? Find out...
15. A surprisingly interesting look at religion.
16. Even cool history...who knew?
17. Good arguments in defense of evolution and against Intelligent Design.
18. The concept of original sin?
19. So many religions so little time.
20. The concept of denial explained.
21. Top Ten If God Existed list...it's good.
22. Superstition.
23. The platinum rule.
24. Delayed gratification.
25. Evolutionary morality.
26. Memes...
27. Separation of church and state.
28. Levels of thinking.
29. Unnatural selection.
30. Religious wars.
31. So much wisdom in one book.
32. Excellent Appendix.
33. The super low Kindle price makes this book a bargain.
34. Links worked great.


Negatives:
1. Theists will have a tough time with this book.
2. Illustrations or charts would have added value.

In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a very satisfying and enlightening read. So much good information in just one book; it's a real page turner. If you are looking for an accessible book that will educate and enlighten you about our beliefs this is a surprisingly good book. I want to thank Mr. Key for a wonderful read. Bravo!

Recommendations: "Human" by Michael S. Gazzaniga, "Hardwired Behavior: What Neuroscience Reveals about Morality" by Laurence Tancredi, "Supersense" by Bruce M. Hood, "The Brain and the Meaning of Life" by Paul Thagard, and "Science under Siege" by Kendrick Frazier.

This is so easy to read and so logical. Much of what I had been thinking was in this book with so much more. I enjoyed it so much, I bought 10 more copies for my friends. Mr. Keys wrote the book I wanted to write for all my friends. Our existence is so simple. Loved it!!!!! Thank you.

Unfortunately the author seems to know little of theology, so he is forced to compare religious praxis with scientific theory. It's the equivalent of comparing how people behave with theories of human behavior. For example, he has the religious devotee going to heaven, becoming bored and depressed, and asking his god whether that's all there is. It's a child's picture of an afterlife that he compares with an adult's understanding of science. With straw men like this, science certainly seems more palatable than religous belief.
Most (all?) of his objections to religious belief have been thrashed out before and dealt with more scientifically than the author seems to realize. The entire piece is philosophically naive, which is unfortunate because the desire to know is a common ground of science, religion, philosophy, and a dynamic picture of heaven. The third instinct could have been seen as a uniting rather than a dividing principle.The Third Basic Instinct: How Religion Doesn't Get You

I bought this book because I was curious to know what the author had to say. In a word, nothing. He has nothing to say about the great philosophical questions that have been debated by the great minds since the beginning of recorded history.

Mr. Key's primary objective is to sell the idea that God doesn't exist. Is he not familiar with Bacon, Descartes, Hobbes or Locke? This was one of the principal questions argued by these great philosophers.

He is at best a second rate Robert Ringer, and not in the same league as Ayn Rand. He is an atheist - not that I care about that - who has written a book with no substance.

I don't regret buying this book. It gives me material to review on my blog. I could not in good conscience recommend this book to anyone. If you want to read about atheism, read books by those who have original thought. I suggest Ayn rand.

This book is exciting to read! The vocabulary is just right--precise, diverse, not too complex but still engaging. I actually think it is quite poetic. I can only imagine how much time was spent on the research but it is all worth it. There are so many interesting little facts that whet one's (or at least my) appetite more and more with each page. And some of the author's own insights are very original. Highly recommended.

I found this new version both riveting and thought proviking. Includes thoughts and ideas I have not read elsewhere. Includes implications of understanding the mind--and the origin of the mind--on human belief systems. Most intriguing.

Having received this book from a close friend, I thought it would be a book where my mind would wander and not really get into what the author was saying. How I was wrong.......

This book tackles some serious subjects and I tended to agree with a majority of them. The book is well written and the details behind certain stories or tales confirm the author did his research.

I left the book on my desk, and people I work with became interested in the subject and actually read it after me. This book can very easily be a top seller. I highly recommend this book.