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** 'Robert Wright is a riveting writer, compelling and compulsive. Once he gets a truly big idea going, he grabs you by the coat lapels and doesn't let you go. He is a master of lucid and persuasive prose' IRISH TIMES ** 'An important book' SUNDAY TIMES
Product Description
In The Evolution of God, Robert Wright, award-winning author of the bestselling books Nonzero and The Moral Animal, takes us on a sweeping journey through religious history, from the Stone Age to the Information Age, unveiling along the way an astonishing discovery: that there is a hidden pattern in the way that Judaism, Christianity and Islam have all evolved. Through the prisms of archaeology, theology, evolutionary psychology and a careful re-reading of the scriptures, Wright's findings repeatedly overturn conventional wisdom and basic assumptions about the great monotheistic faiths. Looking at the forces that have moved the Abrahamic faiths away from belligerence and intolerance to a higher moral plane, Wright finds that this previously unrecognized evolutionary logic points not toward continued religious extremism as the media would have us believe, but towards future harmony.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is interesting and well worth reading. It covers some of the same material as Karen Armstrong's book, The History of God. However, Mr. Wright also provides greater insight into the socio-political contexts that led to the significant shifts in the concept of god historically. Admittedly some of his views are speculative, but they are well researched and plausible. And the weave of the story together with an historical explanation makes for engaging and informative reading.
On the other hand Mr. Wright makes a case for directional history by drawing upon the theme developed in his earlier book, Non Zero. His proposition is that we need to understand history through the prism of game theory. Human history evolves in a positive direction (albeit with ample tragedy) because it pays to recognise that antagonistic communities share common interests. While I don't wish to go into all of the counter-arguments here, my own view is that this metaphysical argument is tenuous. Mr Wright goes further even to suggest that his discerned direction to history suggests an underlying purpose to life and to human history. His position is I believe demonstrably false and I have said as much in my own book, The Bridge. Mr. Wright takes aim at the physicist, Steven Weinberg, for his statement that there seems to be no point to the universe or to life. And so Wright presents his defence of purpose. But his arguments are underwhelming; I vote with Weinberg.
Mr. Wright develops these arguments in the final chapters of the book, where he also presents an optimistic case for the future of human history. There is certainly a worthy cause to be argued in favour of maintaining a dialogue between nation states and differing religious communities. However, Wright argues this cause by once again anchoring his position in the concept of non-zero sum game theory. First of all I don't see why it is necessary to suggest such a link. Isn't it sufficient to say that our genetic predisposition fortunately permits us an escape route from the clash of civilizations and to build upon that cornerstone from a humanist perspective? Furthermore, Wright's arguments remain at a fairly detached and theoretical level. He fails to present a serious critique of the West's responsibilities in the present day conflict with Islamic fundamentalists. And he fails to bring forward any pragmatic suggestions other than simply to maintain a dialogue and to appreciate that we are in a non-zero sum game: We are all in the same vessel, the increasingly global community.
On the other hand Mr. Wright makes a case for directional history by drawing upon the theme developed in his earlier book, Non Zero. His proposition is that we need to understand history through the prism of game theory. Human history evolves in a positive direction (albeit with ample tragedy) because it pays to recognise that antagonistic communities share common interests. While I don't wish to go into all of the counter-arguments here, my own view is that this metaphysical argument is tenuous. Mr Wright goes further even to suggest that his discerned direction to history suggests an underlying purpose to life and to human history. His position is I believe demonstrably false and I have said as much in my own book, The Bridge. Mr. Wright takes aim at the physicist, Steven Weinberg, for his statement that there seems to be no point to the universe or to life. And so Wright presents his defence of purpose. But his arguments are underwhelming; I vote with Weinberg.
Mr. Wright develops these arguments in the final chapters of the book, where he also presents an optimistic case for the future of human history. There is certainly a worthy cause to be argued in favour of maintaining a dialogue between nation states and differing religious communities. However, Wright argues this cause by once again anchoring his position in the concept of non-zero sum game theory. First of all I don't see why it is necessary to suggest such a link. Isn't it sufficient to say that our genetic predisposition fortunately permits us an escape route from the clash of civilizations and to build upon that cornerstone from a humanist perspective? Furthermore, Wright's arguments remain at a fairly detached and theoretical level. He fails to present a serious critique of the West's responsibilities in the present day conflict with Islamic fundamentalists. And he fails to bring forward any pragmatic suggestions other than simply to maintain a dialogue and to appreciate that we are in a non-zero sum game: We are all in the same vessel, the increasingly global community.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is not a book for those of faith, as faith defines analysis. Nor is it a book for academics or theologians, who will find much to disagree with and argue over. For the others this is, for the most part, an interesting account of the historical development of one religious thread: the idea of a single god.
It is a book about a big subject; what it is not is a book about religion in general. For example, it is not concerned with religion in the East.
The author has an interest in non-zero game theory. The reader may be fascinated by this as applied to religion or may just skim over references to it. It is the reader's choice and a belief in it is not required.
The book has four main sections. "The Birth and Growth of Gods" deals with the originating ideas, in the religious respect for the forces of nature leading to a personification of these forces into a multitude of gods. "The Emergence of Abrahamic Monotheism" shows how many gods became a single tribal god, then a national god, then a universal god influenced by, or reconciled with, Greek philosophy. "The Invention of Christianity" and "The Triumph of Islam" narrates the two great surviving extensions of Abrahamic religion. Finally, a fifth section "God goes Global (or Doesn't) " give a modern summing up and a projection to the future.
It is a book about a big subject; what it is not is a book about religion in general. For example, it is not concerned with religion in the East.
The author has an interest in non-zero game theory. The reader may be fascinated by this as applied to religion or may just skim over references to it. It is the reader's choice and a belief in it is not required.
The book has four main sections. "The Birth and Growth of Gods" deals with the originating ideas, in the religious respect for the forces of nature leading to a personification of these forces into a multitude of gods. "The Emergence of Abrahamic Monotheism" shows how many gods became a single tribal god, then a national god, then a universal god influenced by, or reconciled with, Greek philosophy. "The Invention of Christianity" and "The Triumph of Islam" narrates the two great surviving extensions of Abrahamic religion. Finally, a fifth section "God goes Global (or Doesn't) " give a modern summing up and a projection to the future.
Format:Paperback
A tour through religion from prehistoric animism, through Shamanism and Polynesian religion to the three Abrahamic faiths. Robert Wright pulls in ideas from evolutionary theory, such as Dawkins' idea of memes, and a rather simplified version of game theory to show how human ideas of god(s) have changed over time. As other reviewers have commented, there are some large omissions, such as non-Abrahamic modern religions. Arguably Wright's treatment of Shamanism and non-Hebrew polytheistic religion is also rather superficial, but what can you expect in a book of only 500 pages? This is also true of evolution, game theory and particle physics, which Wright touches on to give support for his own ideas; if you want to learn about these theories, look elsewhere, for example Dawkins' books. When it comes to Christianity and Judaism, Wright's academic credentials shine through. He writes in an informed and balanced way that is also clear and easy to read, though sometimes a little informal for my taste. I am sure his lectures are entertaining.
And what of its contribution to the "God Delusion" debate? Religious fundamentalists are likely to throw this book down in disgust, though they should try not to. Atheists will read the book nodding in agreement with 90% of it, and are likely to learn from it, unless they have studied academic theology and know his source materials already. Wright argues that religion is not as harmful as Dawkin and Hitchens claim, but it would be possible for to concede these points whilst remaining an atheist. I think there is useful reading here for the religious liberal too, though it is tucked away in the afterword and an appendix, where Robert Wright has hidden his arguments for the existence of a real, as well as a perceived, God. Unlike the rest of the book, which is easy to follow, these arguments are condensed and abstruse -- I suspect that they are flawed, but it rather hard to tell. Please Dr Wright, could you expand these arguments into another book?
And what of its contribution to the "God Delusion" debate? Religious fundamentalists are likely to throw this book down in disgust, though they should try not to. Atheists will read the book nodding in agreement with 90% of it, and are likely to learn from it, unless they have studied academic theology and know his source materials already. Wright argues that religion is not as harmful as Dawkin and Hitchens claim, but it would be possible for to concede these points whilst remaining an atheist. I think there is useful reading here for the religious liberal too, though it is tucked away in the afterword and an appendix, where Robert Wright has hidden his arguments for the existence of a real, as well as a perceived, God. Unlike the rest of the book, which is easy to follow, these arguments are condensed and abstruse -- I suspect that they are flawed, but it rather hard to tell. Please Dr Wright, could you expand these arguments into another book?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Putting pet-theory before sincere journalism?
I really like Robert Wright, and I love his online presence and previous book (The Moral Animal - highly recommended) but I feel he has gone a bit soft on this one. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Hashim_Al
His only understanding of religion is Westernized
The problem with the authors understanding, and defining other religious traditions through history is based on a western concept. Not a good read, and poorly argued theories.
Published 7 months ago by Religion?
Oh God!
He pips on and on about this so called "zero game theory" which sounds rubbish to me. In case you're unfamiliar, it's the equivalent of playing a game of cluedo except you aren't... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Papa Stinker
The Evolution of God by Robert Wright
The book has somewhat disappointed me. I thought the book's discourse would contain ontological discussion centred on how the concept of god evolved and then leading to atheism. Read more
Published 20 months ago by A. Basu
i have read this, but grogan encourages me to give it a 5
like another reviewer here, i am giving this a five due to the theorising of another reviewer, mr grogan. Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2009 by Johnny P
aimed at the Bible Belt- otherwise jejune
This book is aimed at less educationally advantaged Bible belt American Christians and, as such, may- for all I know- be useful and timely. Read more
Published on 25 Nov 2009 by windwheel
What World is He Living In?
I have never posed this question before about any author, but after reviewing "The Evolution of God," I must ask, "What planet does Mr. Wright live on? Read more
Published on 4 Sep 2009 by JeremiahA
5 stars because...
I am giving this book 5 stars because William Grogan doesn't like it. See previous review and comment for further explanation.
Published on 15 Aug 2009 by DS
Science is destroying religion.
Any book with this lie in the Product Description isn't worth reading, "..why science affirms the validity of the religious quest".
Published on 8 Aug 2009 by William Grogan
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