Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon
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[edit] Synopsis
Daniel C. Dennett's [1]]Breaking The Spell is a look at what religion is, whether it can be subjected to scientific study, what its origins are, and whether it's useful.
[edit] Quotation
- Those who are religious and believe religion to be the best hope of humankind cannot reasonably expect those of us who are sceptical to refrain from expressing our doubts if they themselves are unwilling to put their convictions under the microscope.
- I am not suggesting that science should try to do what religion does, but that it should study, scientifically, what religion does. – Daniel C. Dennett, Breaking the Spell
[edit] Review
Daniel C. Dennett’s Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon is an excellent analysis of the role religion has played in the history and evolution of human society. Dennett ponders what our pre-religious ancestors would have been like, what role religion played as a binding social element and how we can properly analyse modern day religions. Dennett defines religion as:
- Social systems whose participants avow belief in a supernatural agent or agents whose approval is to be sought.
The book is divided into 3 major areas of thought: PART I. Opening Pandora’s Box; PART II. The Evolution of Religion; and PART III. Religion Today. Part I is a philosophical essay on whether or not science should and could study religion and religious experiences. Can we study the development and evolution of religion as a natural phenomena? What are the testable and certifiable aspects of religion? Dennett concludes that anything of the magnitude of importance of religion needs to be studied objectively. We need to be able to objectively analyse whether religion is really good for humanity or not. Part II looks at the major events in the evolution of religion from its roots as a tool to bind together groups of non-related people and enable them to work together for their greater good, the importance of secrecy in religion and the role of ceremony, music and tradition in the spreading of religion. One big question raise in this section is who profits from organised religion? What do the adherents get out of it and what do the leaders get out of it. Part III is the where I found most of the stirring and hard questions. In his look at modern religion Dennett brings up the issues of academic prejudice against studying religion, morality and the future of religion. This final section argues against the standard that only adherents or believers can study their religion and that there is no role for objective study of religion and its affects on societies. There is also a lengthy discussion on the role of religion to give people pre-packaged morals. Dennet writes:
- Maybe one Golden Rule or Ten Commandments or some other short list of absolutely nonnegotiable Dos and Don’ts resolves all the predicaments just fine, once you figure out how to apply them.
Dennett argues that the problem with blindly accepting a code of morality simply because it was dictated by the religion of your choice is that it unless you have questioned and studied this rule set you maybe making morally questionable choices for reasons you yourself may not agree with. The societal effect is also brought up in that a moderate or liberal of a religion may disagree with what the extremists are doing but by participating in the same church they are (unwittingly) giving credence and support to the extremists world view, the extremist can say that he is doing right because how can so many people believe as I do if my beliefs are wrong. Dennett also concludes that what the world needs is not less religious education but in fact more, but not in the form of traditional indoctrination but of an objective look at a large range of religions.
Breaking the Spell is an intelligent and gentle look at religion that calls for a deeper understanding of the motives and affects of religion. Daniel Dennett is a outspoken atheist but his still manages to discuss and question religion with respect and genuine interest. I would highly recommend Breaking the Spell to believers and non-believers alike.
