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Lyle B. Steadman

The Supernatural and Natural Selection: Religion and Evolutionary Success (Studies in Comparative Social Science) 1st Edition

by Lyle B. Steadman (Author), Craig T. Palmer (Author)

4.3 15 ratings

Part of: Studies in Comparative Social Science (12 books)

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Spanning many different epochs and varieties of religious experience, this book develops a new approach to religion and its role in human history. The authors look across a range of religious phenomena-from ancestor worship to totemism, shamanism, and worldwide modern religions-to offer a new explanation of the evolutionary success of religious behaviors. Their book is more empirical and verifiable than most previous books on evolution and religion because they develop an approach that removes guesswork about beliefs in the supernatural, focusing instead on the behaviors of individuals. The result is a pioneering look at how and why natural selection has favored religious behaviors throughout history.

ISBN-10

1594515654
ISBN-13

978-1594515651
Edition

1st
Publisher

Routledge
Publication date

September 30, 2008
Part of series

Studies in Comparative Social Science
Language

English
Dimensions

6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
Print length

328 pages
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Lyle B. Steadman, Craig T. Palmer

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge; 1st edition (September 30, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1594515654
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1594515651
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.46 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #6,373,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,034 in Physical Anthropology (Books)
- #6,084 in Sociology & Religion
- #6,898 in Science & Religion (Books)

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4.3 15 ratings

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15 global ratings

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greg goodman

Fantastic Hypotheses on the link between our non-human primate behavior and human families.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 3, 2019

Verified Purchase

I ordered this book for a class while completing my Anthropology degree.

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cwonder

Evolution of Religion

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 12, 2011

Verified Purchase

Steadman and Palmer did an excellent job with explaining their evolutional theory on Religion. The examples used in each chapter to illustrate the writers theories were easy to understand. Throughout the book, the theory never changed and was consistent. It was a very well written book and easier to understand than other anthropology books.

4 people found this helpful

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Susannah Heist

Defining the Undefinable

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 28, 2018

Verified Purchase

Best empirical analysis of religious behavior. The authors use various examples and approachable definitions to define something that often is undefinable.

2 people found this helpful

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Lawrence E. Gasch

The book I've waited for

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 24, 2008

This is the book I've waited a long time to read. As Steadman and Palmer point out, many other researchers have come close to the conclusions found in "Supernatural and Natural Selection", however, none has so accurately hit the target.

Have you ever had disconnected ideas floating around in your head like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle still in its box? Then one day you read a book that puts all those pieces together into one coherent picture. For me, this is that book.

Without going into a lengthy discussion let me briefly mention the points that most intrigue me. First, Steadman's and Palmer's definition of religion is the only one-size-fits-all definition I've ever read. To paraphrase, they define religion as the non-skeptical communicated acceptance of another's supernatural claim. It is elegant in its simplicity yet comprehensive.

Second, they emphasize the idea that particular beliefs are inconsequential. As far as beliefs are concerned, one religion is as good or bad, true or false as any other. From ancestor worship to Scientology, all religions are poured from the same mold and share easily identifiable characteristics.

Third and, perhaps, most important, religions survive and create "descendants" by assuming the guise of a family. Priests may be called "father", fellow religionists may be called "brother and sister" and a supreme being is merely the ultimate ancestor. In any case, religions act like surrogate families in order to retain members and create descendants.

Finally, Steadman and Palmer contrast the shaman and the prophet in this way. The actions of the shaman preserve the status quo, that is, they conserve the existing religion. The actions of the prophet, however, create a new religion. They cite Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed as examples of prophets. I might add that the Pope could thus be an example of a shaman.

If you are curious about the origins of religion, this is the book to read. I highly recommend it.

23 people found this helpful

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