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Alpha God

Hector A. Garcia

  • Bindwijze: Paperback
  • Taal: en
  • Categorie: Wetenschap & Natuur
  • ISBN: 9781633880207
The Psychology of Religious Violence and Oppression
Inhoud
Taal:en
Bindwijze:Paperback
Oorspronkelijke releasedatum:10 maart 2015
Aantal pagina's:287
Illustraties:Nee
Betrokkenen
Hoofdauteur:Hector A. Garcia
Hoofdauteur:Hector A. Garcia
Overige kenmerken
Extra groot lettertype:Nee
Product breedte:152 mm
Product hoogte:19 mm
Product lengte:229 mm
Studieboek:Ja
Verpakking breedte:151 mm
Verpakking hoogte:16 mm
Verpakking lengte:227 mm
Verpakkingsgewicht:456 g
Overige kenmerken
Extra groot lettertype:Nee
Product breedte:152 mm
Product hoogte:19 mm
Product lengte:229 mm
Studieboek:Ja
Verpakking breedte:151 mm
Verpakking hoogte:16 mm
Verpakking lengte:227 mm
Verpakkingsgewicht:456 g

Samenvatting

This book uses evolutionary psychology as a lens to explain religious violence and oppression. The author, a clinical psychologist, examines religious scriptures, rituals, and canon law, highlighting the many ways in which our evolutionary legacy has shaped the development of religion and continues to profoundly influence its expression. The book focuses on the image of God as the dominant male in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This traditional God concept is seen as a reflection of the dominant ape paradigm so evident in the hierarchical social structures of primates, with whom we have a strong genetic connection. The author describes the main features of male-dominated primate social hierarchies- specifically, the role of the alpha male as the protector of the group; his sexual dominance and use of violence and oppression to attain food, females, and territory; in-group altruism vs. out-group hostility (us vs. them); and displays of dominance and submission to establish roles within the social hierarchy. The parallels between these features of primate society and human religious rituals and concepts make it clear that religion, especially its oppressive and violent tendencies, is rooted in the deep evolutionary past. This incisive analysis goes a long way toward explaining the historic and ongoing violence committed in the name of religion.