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Daniel C. Dennett

Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon Paperback – February 6, 2007

by Daniel C. Dennett (Author)

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The New York Times bestseller – a “crystal-clear, constantly engaging” (Jared Diamond) exploration of the role that religious belief plays in our lives and our interactions

For all the thousands of books that have been written about religion, few until this one have attempted to examine it scientifically: to ask why—and how—it has shaped so many lives so strongly. Is religion a product of blind evolutionary instinct or rational choice? Is it truly the best way to live a moral life? Ranging through biology, history, and psychology, Daniel C. Dennett charts religion’s evolution from “wild” folk belief to “domesticated” dogma. Not an antireligious screed but an unblinking look beneath the veil of orthodoxy, Breaking the Spell will be read and debated by believers and skeptics alike.

Print length

464 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Penguin Books
Publication date

February 6, 2007
Dimensions

5.5 x 1 x 8.4 inches
ISBN-10

0143038338
ISBN-13

978-0143038337
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ambitious . . . an accessible account of what might be called the natural history of religion."
--The New Yorker

"How would a visitor from Mars dispassionately explain human religion? . . . My guess is that the result would be something like this crystal-clear, constantly engaging, and enjoyable new book."
--Jared Diamond, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse

"Rich and rewarding . . . the main business of the book is to give a scientific account of how religion may have developed among creatures such as us. . . . The product of an extremely bright mind."
--San Francisco Chronicle

"An elegant, sharp-minded essay on the need to study religion in a dispassionate way."
--The Economist

"Penetrating . . . a sharp synthesis of a library of evolutionary, anthropological and psychological research on the origin and spread of religion."
--Scientific American

About the Author

Daniel C. Dennett is University Professor, professor of philosophy, and co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University. His books include From Bacteria to Bach and Back, Freedom Evolves, Consciousness Explained and Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, a finalist for the National Book Award.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books; Reprint edition (February 6, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0143038338
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143038337
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.4 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #342,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #43 in Theism Religion
- #556 in Science & Religion (Books)
- #567 in Religion & Philosophy (Books)

Customer Reviews:
499 ratings

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T. V. Robertson

Preaching to the Epistemological Divide

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2017

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As a person fascinated with, though uncompelled by, religion, I throughly enjoyed Dennett's articulate exploration of religion as a natural phenomenon. Yes, as other reviewers have noted, some of the sections ramble a bit, however I found this easy to take, as Dennett's writing was always worth following. While Dennett describes a well-thought-out and interesting point of view, the book also illuminates the thoughts of others on the subject of religion, and facts of the natural world that might bear on how we look at religion. This made the book a much richer experience than if Dennett simply made his arguments.

As for Dennett's arguments, I think they show real insight and genuine concern for the human condition. However, I was left with the sense that while Dennett's microscope uncovers many important facets of religion, he may be missing the point that the central difference between a religious person and a "bright" like Dennett is their epistempology - their stance on what is the source of truth. Dennett asserts often in the book that the religious have an obligation to justify their views, but he wants them justified on his terms, reason, not theirs, personal revelation.

Dennett quotes Avery Cardinal Dulles who writes that ".... the key question is how God comes to us and opens up a world of meaning not accessible to human investigative powers. The answer, I suggest is testimony ... Personal testimony calls for an epistemology quite distinct from the scientific, as commonly understood." The point of view expressed by this quote seems to me on target, and essential to understanding religion as a natural phenomenon, however Dennett won't have it. When Dulles later in his writing acknowledges the value of science, Dennett derides Dulles for "cherry picking", relying on science only when it helps his cause (p. 364).

I think what Dennett really wants, to put religion under clear-eyed scrutiny, is "... not to bulldoze people with science, but to get them to see things they already know, or could know, have implications for how they should want to respond to the issues under discussion." (p. 378) In other words, to acknowledge the importance of reason to human life in general, and in considering religion in particular. If Dennett wants to convert the converted, he needs to convert their epistemology.

27 people found this helpful

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Steven Haack

From Cradle Catholic to a Pseudo Religion to a Skeptic

Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2016

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I am posting a letter that I wrote to my siblings as a review of this "enlightening book."

Dear J & J,

Friday night, I decided to slowly read through a book on "religion as a natural phenomenon. As long as I have been in religious circles, no one has attempted to explain to me or even discuss where this idea of religion originated. However, not all religions are the same in regards to intent. Dr. Dennett wrote that sharks and dolphins may have similar attributes and can swim in the same waters, however, as often observed, the shark’s intent is definitely not the same as a dolphin.

In his book “Breaking the Spell” by Daniel C. Dennett wrote “Religious cults (or pseudo religions) and political fanatics are not the only casters of evil spells today. Think of the people who are addicted to drugs, or gambling, or alcohol, or child pornography.” Dr. Dennett also states that religion in America is not the same as religions in other countries.

It seems that religion is important to most of our family members and many Americans. Just look at all the televangelists begging for money and getting it. I might suggest that all of us step back and look at the idea of what is religion in the first place. I suggest not waiting until you are lying in bed sick or lying in bed dying before you attempt to understand this idea of religion. Just because it has been handed down to us through traditions does not make it correct in the first place.

In fact, Jesus practiced a lesson similar to Socrates; as a teacher, he never put someone down because a student does not agree. Thomas is known as doubting Thomas and Jesus never put him down; I prefer to call Thomas a skeptic. In my experience, healthy skepticism might have kept me from participating in a pseudo religion for thirteen years. In my view, healthy skepticism is another way of saying "intellectual honesty." One thing I know for sure is that nothing in life to a human is certain, nothing. None of us really knows anything for sure.

This book is well worth the read for true believers and skeptics.
Good luck to you all.
Steven L. H.

44 people found this helpful

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WisGuy

I will borrow from Mark Twain here: Chloroform in print.

Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2019

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Mark Twain said of the Book of Mormon that it was chloroform in print. Daniel Dennett has managed to outdo Joseph Smith in producing the most boring book in history; this is truly chloroform in print. What is presented here in 400+ pages could have easily been distilled into less than 100 pages. You've been warned !

8 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

RR Waller

A natural phenomenon explored

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 18, 2011

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Make no mistakes; this is a scholarly, philosophical tome by a serious-minded and dedicated philosopher who does have a high-horse but he is not on it.
The title and opening chapter title tend to give away a great deal about the thinking though; "... the Spell" and "Opening Pandora's Box". Spells tend to suggest the irrational under another's control and all the evils of the world released from "Pandora's Box" - Pandora, the "all-gifted" - suggests a mind-set. However, do not let this detract from his considered thinking.
His first section, divided into three, then sub-divided into fives, examines the nature of religion, its relationship (if any) to science and various linked ideas to the idea of religion as a natural phenomenon but also asking the question "Cui bono"?
The second section, divided into eight then sub-divided into up to eight, looks at religion's early and modern days, the organisation of religion and ends with "Does God Exist?" The best until last?
Section three is divided into three sections, sub-divided into fours, beginning with "The Buyer's Guide to Religions" and ending with "Now What do We Do?" after a short section on Richard Dawkin's "memes" theory (also explored extensively by Susan Blackmore).
The appendices are thirty pages long, notes twenty-three and the bibliography fourteen. This is not an irrational diatribe by an evangelising fundamentalist with a badge stating the agenda, although he does have one and his position is very clear, particularly to anyone who is familiar with his writing. It is a series of inter-connected ideas outlining why he believes what he does and tackling some of the major issues in this arena, e.g. does science have anything to say to or about religion (and "vice versa"?).
For reasons I cannot remember but probably more to do with the book's arrival than a deliberate choice of holiday reading, I found myself carrying it around the Acropolis into the temple of Athena Parthenos,the Erechtheum and Parthenon; anyone who has climbed the Athenean Acropolis in the Greek summer will know it is a struggle not for the faint-hearted. Carrying this heavy tome in an already heavy camera bag made it even more of an adventure. However, on arriving at an even keel, it made fascinating, restful reading in the coffee shop, Dennett and a cooling drink in front, the temples behind.

9 people found this helpful

Steve

More investigation than Polemic

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2010

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In Breaking the Spell Dan Dennett takes the time to set out the scope of his inquiry and to tackle questions in the right order. It feels like a genuine investigation rather than a mere polemic, and while there's nothing inherently wrong with either approach, this one brings a calm precision to the table. The courteous tone is apparent from the very first question, of whether or not it's wise to subject religious belief to scientific scrutiny, given the possibility that this might break someone's spell. What do we endanger if the spell is broken? Is it worth it? With over 300 more pages filled with 'something', Dennett's answer is obvious before it arrives, but for a book of this nature, it's a good starting point.

Compared to his atheist cohorts (in particular, his fellow horsemen Hitchens, Harris and Dawkins), Dennett is less interested in attacking religion than in understanding what we can learn about this curious phenomenon, in particular from its origins and development. Objections are pre-empted and answered calmly and persuasively. Statements are qualified and clarified to a degree that might even infuriate some readers. Bringing with him a wealth of evolutionary, anthropological and psychological research, he is never afraid to point out where more research is needed, even if this means holding back from winning an argument. Don't, however, dismiss Dennett's book as an apology; it should be welcomed as a rigorous and respectful contribution to the debate.

14 people found this helpful

Mrs. J. PIRES-OBRIEN

Dennett admits that religion is a taboo subject and deals with it with great sensibility and respect

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2015

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In this book the American philosopher Daniel C. Dennett shows the incoherence behind the enormous influence that religion has over people, to the point of placing them in some sort of spell. Such incoherence is due to the fact that religion is a natural phenomenon that evolved in human society alongside other natural phenomena such as conscience, cognition and gregariousness. Dennett admits that religion is a taboo subject and deals with it with great sensibility and respect. Each chapter of this book examines religion through a different angle and the message that emerges in the end is that there is nothing to fear in breaking the spell of religion. Nothing less than the state of the art in evolutionary biology supports the discussions in this book which I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

7 people found this helpful

Mr.RPN

Some interesting ideas but quite hard work

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2011

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On balance this book rewards the effort ~ but it really is an effort.

The approach is a slightly irritating and an odd mixture of academic, discursive, and occasionally colloquial styles(lots of asides in brackets finishing with an exclamation mark!). Dennett does sometimes go off on a tangent and you may find yourself flicking ahead to see when the book will get interesting again.

However, if you can get past the ideosyncratic writing there are lots of very interesting ideas and original ways of looking at religion and spirituality.

If you enjoyed Richard Dawkins, then this is a new perspective on some of his ideas. It isn't as easy to follow but it is worth exploring.

5 people found this helpful

Sam Burge

New atheist perspective to ponder

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2021

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One of the ‘4 horsemen of the Apocalypse.’
Sennets book holds interesting new atheist views. Supports Dawkins and is a great resource if you study religion