Bibliograph

The believing brain, from ghosts and gods to politics and conspiracies--how we construct beliefs and reinforce them as truths, Michael Shermer

Type

Label

The believing brain, from ghosts and gods to politics and conspiracies--how we construct beliefs and reinforce them as truths, Michael Shermer

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The believing brain

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

650019996

Responsibility statement

Michael Shermer

Sub title

from ghosts and gods to politics and conspiracies--how we construct beliefs and reinforce them as truths

Summary

Shermer demonstrates how our brains selectively assess data in an attempt to confirm the conclusions (beliefs) we've already reached. Drawing on evolution, cognitive science, and neuroscience, he considers not only supernatural beliefs but political and economic ones as well

Table Of Contents

Mr. D'Arpino's dilemma -- Dr. Collins's conversion -- A skeptic's journey -- Patternicity -- Agenticity -- The believing neuron -- Belief in the afterlife -- Belief in god -- Belief in aliens -- Belief in conspiracies -- Politics of belief -- Confirmations of belief -- Geographies of belief -- Cosmologies of belief -- Epilogue: the truth is out there

Classification