Religion and science are compatible, asserts psychiatrist Feierman (retired, U. of New Mexico; B.S., zoology) in introducing the new non-theological approach to the study of religion through neo- Darwinian disciplines including ethology (the biology of behavior), evolutionary psychology, and cognitive science. International scholars describe the parallel biosocial evolutionary history of religious behaviors, their basis in brain development, causes, and adaptive roles. For example, closing one's eyes in prayer in monotheistic religions is viewed as akin to animal expression of submission to higher-ranked animals. * Reference & Research Book News *
Unlike other more opinionated works on the topic, The Biology of Religious Behavior invites readers to put aside their biases to consider how science and religion can assist one another in the search for truth. * Association of Religion Data Archives *
. . . the book provides a good, enriching framework from which one can understand and appreciate religions as an outsider . . . Recommended. General and academic audiences, upper-division undergraduates and above. * Choice *
...a splendid effort to show how religion evolved and how it creates the identity of religious communities...outstanding edited volume. * Evolutionary Psychology *
...there is sufficient heft so that the non-expert will learn quite a bit, and the expert can find new ways of looking at old problems. * Biodemography and Social Biology *
In every way this is a very interesting book and it filled up some gaps in my knowledge. * ESSAT News *
The volume offers an exciting read, running the whole gamut from seriously empirical to wildly speculative. . . . it is an inspiring overview, combining valuable pearls of empirical and theoretical work with open-minded forays into possible paths of future inquiry. It is a strong testimonial to recent dynamics in the field of revolutionary religious studies. . . .Those interested in bringing the scientific study of religion beyond outdated, disciplinary stagnations are recommended to enter this fray! * Marburg Journal of Religion *
Feierman has put together this very readable and useful study of religion as religion has 'evolved' from primitive times until today. . . . All in all, this is a tightly argued book, with a thesis that fills a void; it should be lauded due it taking up the idea of religion from a broad perspective, and not simply from a singularist perspective instead, which is often the omission of former attempted analyses. . . . Philosophy of religion courses would well benefit from this title, as it make valuable connections among various religions, opening up the possibility for further ecumenical dialogue. For this, it should be suited well for upper-division college courses as a supplementary text. * Reviews in Religion & Theology *
The essays are of such a high caliber and so free of wooden materialism that they are well positioned to invoke or provoke ongoing query . . . This is a textbook that I shall assign to my students because it gets so much right so many times . . . the focus on biology puts the theological questions on the side lines, as it must. For the philosophical theologian the focus is also on the ontological nature of the referent and on the complexities of the self - world correlation where genuine sacred folds perennially punctuate our encounters with the heart of nature. * The American Journal of Theology and Philosophy *
...this is a strong book; it should be lauded, due to it taking up the idea of religion from a broad perspective...Philosophy of religion courses would well benefit from this title, as it makes valuable connections amongst various religionsm opening up the possibility for further ecumenical dialogue. For this, it should be used well in upper-division college courses as a supplementary text. * Theological Book Review *
The range is impressive, with many useful and insightful points being well-argued, and Feireman has structured the book well, both in the order of the contents, and in his topping and tailing the collection. ... These contributions to the understanding of religion and its evolutionary roots are very welcome. * Reviews in Science and Religion *
... the chapters...admirably demonstrate how the ethological paradigm-investigating naturally occurring behavior in its typical environment-can shed new light on religion's evolutionary origins. * The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion *
... it does demonstrate by utilising a strongly empirical and widely comparative methodology that human religious behaviours have deep roots in general species behaviours and most definitely 'make sense' within the context of our mammalian heritage. That already, it seems to me, makes this a book well worth the focused attention of the reader's eye. * Religion *
The Biology of Religious Behavior contains insightful theoretical and methodological work that anyone interested in the evolutionary foundations of religion will want to browse. Complete with reviews of existing literature and original research not previously published, it certainly should not be ignored by researchers, scholars, and students pursuing current efforts to recast the supernatural as natural. * Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture *
