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Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon Paperback – February 6, 2007

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 840 ratings

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The New York Times bestseller – a “crystal-clear, constantly engaging” (Jared Diamond) exploration of the role that religious belief plays in our lives and our interactions

For all the thousands of books that have been written about religion, few until this one have attempted to examine it scientifically: to ask why—and how—it has shaped so many lives so strongly. Is religion a product of blind evolutionary instinct or rational choice? Is it truly the best way to live a moral life? Ranging through biology, history, and psychology, Daniel C. Dennett charts religion’s evolution from “wild” folk belief to “domesticated” dogma. Not an antireligious screed but an unblinking look beneath the veil of orthodoxy,
Breaking the Spell will be read and debated by believers and skeptics alike.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ambitious . . . an accessible account of what might be called the natural history of religion."
--The New Yorker

"How would a visitor from Mars dispassionately explain human religion? . . . My guess is that the result would be something like this crystal-clear, constantly engaging, and enjoyable new book."
--Jared Diamond, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse

"Rich and rewarding . . . the main business of the book is to give a scientific account of how religion may have developed among creatures such as us. . . . The product of an extremely bright mind."
--San Francisco Chronicle

"An elegant, sharp-minded essay on the need to study religion in a dispassionate way."
--The Economist

"Penetrating . . . a sharp synthesis of a library of evolutionary, anthropological and psychological research on the origin and spread of religion."
--Scientific American

About the Author

Daniel C. Dennett is University Professor, professor of philosophy, and co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University. His books include From Bacteria to Bach and Back, Freedom Evolves, Consciousness Explained and Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, a finalist for the National Book Award.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books; Reprint edition (February 6, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0143038338
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143038337
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.98 x 8.43 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 840 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
840 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book thought-provoking and interesting. They describe it as a joy to read and well-received. Readers praise the author's accuracy and thoroughness. However, opinions differ on the writing quality and pacing - some find it clear and concise, while others consider it dense and lacking clarity.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

127 customers mention "Insight"102 positive25 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and informative. They appreciate its erudition, research, and broad scope. The book is described as an early example of the scientific study of religion. Readers mention that the author makes interesting observations.

"...goes about breaking "... the taboo against a forthright, scientific, no-holds-barred investigation of religion as one natural phenomenon among many..." Read more

"...to discourage people from reading and thinking about this extremely thought provoking, reality-orienting book...." Read more

"...by science ought to be no more than common sense: Religious behavior is human behavior; as such it is the legitimate study of sociology, anthropology..." Read more

"...Lots of brain food here. It is possible that the future of humanity lies in the ramifications of at least some of these ideas...." Read more

56 customers mention "Readability"48 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it interesting, informative, and a joy to read. Readers recommend it as a must-read for intellectuals of all persuasions, including skeptical, spiritual, religious, and non-religious ones. The book holds their interest on every page and is described as entertaining.

"This is a great book. It looks to religion from philosophical point of view...." Read more

"...This book is well worth the read for true believers and skeptics. Good luck to you all. Steven L. H." Read more

"...As an atheist myself, it was cathartic to read in print many things that I have observed all along...." Read more

"Professor Daniel C. Dennett of Tuft's University has written a compelling treatise entitled Breaking the Spell, Religion as a Natural Phenomenon...." Read more

3 customers mention "Accuracy"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's accuracy. They find it thorough, precise, and spot-on.

"This book was fantastic and, I think, spot on... until the end...." Read more

"Professor Dennett is exceptionally thorough and precise in this treatment of the religion question...." Read more

"This man not only gets it right, he knows how to tell the rest of us...." Read more

51 customers mention "Writing quality"34 positive17 negative

Customers have mixed reviews about the writing quality. Some find it well-written and clear, arguing the thesis cogently in clear English. Others find it dense and difficult to read, lacking clarity and succinct presentation.

"...While Dennett describes a well-thought-out and interesting point of view, the book also illuminates the thoughts of others on the subject of..." Read more

"...about how religions developed is thorough, clear, and interesting...." Read more

"...religion is beyond the scope of rational inquiry, and does this in clear English...." Read more

"...read...not hard to understand, but kind of convoluted and lacking clarity...." Read more

9 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's pacing. Some find it smooth and easy to follow from beginning to end, with clear examples. Others feel it takes too long to get to the point and doesn't hold their interest.

"...I cracked this one because I was quickly feeling like I was speeding along nicely, looking forward to getting back to it each time I had reading time..." Read more

"...Weaknesses 1. It wasn't a fun, smooth read 2. Took too long to get to points 3. Too restrained, let loose Dr. Dennett 4...." Read more

"Dennett seems like he'd be one of the nicest people you would ever meet...." Read more

"...and "Does religion promote good behavior?" This is not a fast reading book, but every page opens up new thoughts to consider." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2006
    The above Editorial Review from "Scientific American" concludes that this book "... seem[s] aimed more at fellow skeptics than at the true believers Dennett hopes to unconvert." But it seems to me, Dennett has written a religious primer for social scientists to study before launching their own research to answer the long list of questions he poses in his last chapter (p.314-5). Indeed, early on he concedes "We philosophers are better at asking questions than at answering them ..." (p.19) Still he pleads "It is high time that we subject religion as a global phenomenon to the most intensive multidisciplinary research we can muster ..." (p.14) And eventho' he says "I intend to reach as wide an audience of believers as possible ... to play the role of ambassador ..." (p.23-4), I must agree with SA that it's hard to imagine many `true believers' as the audience for this book.

    But I can also relate to Dennett's frustration in trying to reach that audience eventho', based on many casual conversations, there seem to be a great many closet skeptics in our populace. And not just among the well educated but among ordinary folks. In my experience, folks won't loosen their grip on their `true beliefs' until they face up to some crucial contradictions they encounter between their beliefs and the realities of today's world - until they experience `cognitive dissonance' in their lives which prompts them to think outside the box of religious beliefs. Even then, `rewiring one's brain' is an arduous journey. As an aid in such journeys, my book "Concepts: A ProtoTheist Quest for Science-Minded Skeptics" traces my research and conclusions in making my own journey. I mailed Dennett a gratis copy nearly two years ago, but he makes no reference to it in his book, eventho' he cites subsequent books. He says (p.32) "... scientists don't want to deal with second-rate colleagues ..." nor apparently with non-academics. Yet he admits "... perhaps I have overlooked some contributions that will eventually be recognized retrospectively to be most important." (p.312) Hopefully this was just an oversight that will be corrected.

    In what may seem like a minor quibble but which has major importance for my book, Dennett equates Bergson's "... elan vital (the secret ingredient that distinguishes living things from mere matter)" of a century ago with today's DNA (p.208). But science is now recovering DNA from crime scenes and long dead fossils, none of which is alive. So there must be something more that infuses life; I call it the `Life Urge'.

    While I can find a few other details to quibble about, still I must applaud Dennett for making another major contribution to the exploration of the phenomena that are collectively called `religion'. Leavened with humor, he logically, meticulously and unflinchingly goes about breaking "... the taboo against a forthright, scientific, no-holds-barred investigation of religion as one natural phenomenon among many ... as opposed to supernatural ..." (p.17&25) If you're looking for a compendium to refute religious arguments, Dennett provides an excellent one. Nonetheless, in his final chapter he states, "Having insisted at the outset that we need to do much more research so that we can make well-informed decisions, I would be contradicting myself if I now proceeded to prescribe courses of action on the basis of my initial foray." But I'm not so reticent or patient - in this 21st century with its runaway materialism and religious factions, we urgently need better guidance than provided by obsolete religions.
    37 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2022
    I was a little hesitant to read this, having tried Darwin's Dangerous Idea a while back and finding it a bit of a difficult read...not hard to understand, but kind of convoluted and lacking clarity. I'm glad I cracked this one because I was quickly feeling like I was speeding along nicely, looking forward to getting back to it each time I had reading time. I set aside other books for the time being and really focused on this one. The pacing and architecture are great, and I do think the author's choice in the way to build upwards from a foundation was well chosen. Though clearly an atheist, I found his respectfulness toward religion to be so generous as to be (for my taste) a little too generous at times. I am not yet ready to give religion nearly the ground that he seems willing to cede, but his arguments for the potential benefits (perhaps more accurately, evolutionary fitness) of religion were convincing and I find myself not nearly as virulently anti-religious as when I started the book. There is much to be considered here, and perhaps the overriding theme of the book is that serious inquiry is strongly needed and that we should all be fanning the flames of that inquiry: let religion be subjected to the light of reason and thoughtful debate and analysis and we will all be better off, including those that choose to continue holding on to religion.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2015
    This is a great book. It looks to religion from philosophical point of view. The study of the phenomena of religion is very difficult and can't be in a straight line, like deducting the third number in a geometrical series. It is like a circle where religion is the center. you have to go through many points on the circumference and all the radii will intersect in the center thus locating it.
    Daniel Dennett starts from the very beginning when few people in a closed community drawn together for mutual security and protection and seeking extra protection from outside sources and powers. They invented rituals and secretes and have to exclude all others that don't share their beliefs. Dennett looked to many primitive religions such as Cargo religions and Yahuuz to the brahmanic religions.

    Dennett doesn't give a specific answer to why religions exists? because there is none. It is very difficult to study it scientifically. we can't study the lives of two young teanagers with the same background, environment, education and religious beliefs, one of them became suicide bomber and the other became a poet or musician. Dennett calls for more scientific as well as other humanities areas.

    Dennett points to the fact that we don't really need to believe in God but we need the belief in the belief. God doesn't create us but be create God; we need to have something to belief in.
    This book must be red with patience, because there are many grounds to cover, a lot to talk about before coming to the conclusion, and there is no definitive conclusion. The reason is that we are dealing with a phenomena part of it metaphysical and very hard to subject it to science, experiment or statistics. This book must be red at least twice, once for overall perspective and the second to catch the details, but after you unweave the rainbow you end with nothing, and you destroyed what you are trying to study. I highly recommend this book.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Vitorino Jr
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
    Reviewed in Brazil on April 21, 2024
    Excelente reflexão sobre o tema proposto.
  • javier
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great.
    Reviewed in Mexico on April 30, 2017
    Beautiful explanation of the effects of organized superstition in our lives. Brilliant philosopher. Clear and straight-forward asserts. An eye-opening work of art.
  • Donato
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but probably too long
    Reviewed in Italy on August 19, 2017
    Saying that I did not like this book would be a lie. I quite liked it. The fundamental problem with it, in my humble opinion, is that this book is way too long. Interesting additions at every chapter are plunged in a sea of words and entire paragraphs that are just too... much. In the long run, it is difficult to remember what are you reading and what is the topic, because there are too many side-information and side-discussion. 150 pages less and this could be a well-packed book.
    In the end, however, the content of the book is stunning and a new point of view about the hypothesis on the origin and early evolution of religion is proposed and analyzed: what a shame that the central topic of the book, the answer to the question whether religion is dangerous or useful for mankind, is treated in the last section of the book and is too easily and hurriedly disposed of. To me, this book seemed a (very) long introduction to a superficial answer.
  • Arthur Effting
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great thinking
    Reviewed in Germany on April 20, 2017
    The persistence of different religions throughout history was something that always interested me. This book offers a lot of interesting questions and many possible explanations to why human rituals and beliefs turned out the way they are. The underlying message the author puts forth is solid: religion is a natural phenomenon and must be treated so.
  • Shivam L Srivastava
    5.0 out of 5 stars You Must Read !
    Reviewed in India on July 13, 2016
    This book will blow your mind if you're reading Dennett (one of the Four Horsemen of modern atheism) for the first time. Others being Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens.
    It isn't divine creation. Nor is it one man's discovery. Religion has gradually evolved from our superstitious behaviour which it self sprang from our own evolution as a species. This superstitious behaviour came from our ability to seek patterns during our survival. The book has very simple language. The suits equally well for world wide scholars, professionals and laymen.