How We Believe: The Search for God in an Age of Science
W. H. Freeman and Company, (2000). First Edition. Hardcover. Item #214353
ISBN: 071673561X
302 pages. This book 'explores how and why humans put their faith in a higher power, even in the face of scientific skepticism' -- from the front flap. Shermer is the publisher of Skeptic magazine. First edition (first printing). A fine copy in a fine dust jacket. Dedication copy; inscribed by the author to Stephen Jay Gould, to who is often referenced in the book and to whom the book is dedicated. 'Steve -- Thanks for making our short tenure on this planet that much richer, both intellectually and spiritually. In Glorious contingency, Michael Shermer.' From the Harvard office library of the paleontologist and leading advocate for evolution, Stephen Jay Gould. With a tipped in bookplate indicating the provenance. *** Intellectually, Gould understood the true nature of these bookplates, but the book collector in him appreciated them. In his essay 'A Seahorse for All Races' Gould writes about one of his prized possessions, a book from Charles Dickens' library: 'Dickens made no annotations, but a bookplate on the cover, presumably inserted as a come-on for a sale after Dickens' death in 1870, does prove that [he] kept and shelved the book.' *** We offer our Gould bookplates, printed letterpress in two colors, in the same spirit.
This text explores what drives us to believe, to have faith, and to create and flock to religions the world over. Throughout, Michael Shermer is interested in the how and why rather than the right or wrong, proving or disproving. This analysis is designed for anyone, whether devout believer or devoted agnostic, spiritual searcher or armchair anthropologist.
Price: $100.00