cover image Believing: The Neuroscience of Fantasies, Fears, and Convictions

Believing: The Neuroscience of Fantasies, Fears, and Convictions

Michael McGuire. Prometheus Books, $19.95 trade paper (275p) ISBN 978-1-61614-829-4

When individuals consider their beliefs, they often do so only in spiritual or metaphysical terms. But few pause to consider the myriad biological, psychological, sociological, and cultural factors that can subconsciously influence such beliefs—not to mention that even objective experiences like seeing are inextricably linked to belief systems. In this wide-ranging discussion, McGuire (coauthor of God’s Brain), a professor emeritus of psychiatry at UCLA, explores the surprising science behind beliefs regarding everything from religion to science to perception. The stubborn brain, McGuire explains, has a tendency to ignore evidence it deems threatening to long-held beliefs and to select data that will bulwark an existing belief. Through analyses of the current neuroscience and numerous anecdotes from the author’s time in the field with Australian Aboriginals, Eastern Caribbean islanders, and more, McGuire unpacks his topic in a consistently accessible and intriguing manner (despite an overlong introductory explanation of his decision to examine beliefs), and offers up some interesting conclusions. Agent: Beverley Slopen, Beverley Slopen Agency (Canada). (Sept.)