Breaking the Spell (Stork book)

Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon is a 2004 book by Daniel Dennett, an American philosopher and cognitive scientist. The book argues that religion, like any other natural phenomenon, should be subject to scientific scrutiny and critical analysis. Dennett advocates for a naturalistic understanding of religion, suggesting that its origins and persistence can be explained through evolutionary and cognitive mechanisms.

The book explores various themes related to the scientific study of religion, including:

• The taboo against studying religion objectively: Dennett challenges the common perception that religion is somehow exempt from scientific inquiry, arguing that this exemption hinders our understanding of a powerful and influential aspect of human culture.

• Evolutionary origins of religious belief: The book proposes that religious beliefs may have arisen as byproducts of other cognitive adaptations, or that they may have provided some adaptive advantage to early human societies.

• The problem of indoctrination: Dennett examines the ways in which religious beliefs are transmitted from one generation to the next, often through methods that discourage critical thinking and questioning.

• The ethical implications of religious belief: The book explores the potential benefits and drawbacks of religious belief in terms of morality, social cohesion, and individual well-being.

Breaking the Spell is intended to provoke discussion and debate about the role of religion in modern society and the importance of applying scientific principles to its study. It is often considered a key text in the New Atheism movement, which promotes a secular worldview and criticizes religious institutions and practices.