SuperSense: Why We Believe in the Unbelievable by Bruce M. Hood (Audio Summary)

Please consider adding this book to your collection. The more places wisdom is preserved, the better!

https://www.amazon.com/SuperSense-Dev...

KNOWLEDGE VALUE INDEX (KVI)

Audience scores:

Goodreads: 3.8/5 stars
Amazon: 4/5 stars

Critical evaluation:

"SuperSense: Why We Believe in the Unbelievable" by Bruce Hood explores the origins and reasons behind supernatural and superstitious beliefs that persist in the modern, scientific age. The book delves into how the human brain, through its evolutionary development, creates and clings to irrational beliefs, even when faced with contradictory scientific evidence.

Hood, a psychologist at the University of Bristol, UK, argues that humans are equipped with a "supersense" that allows them to perceive a hidden world of spirits, fates, and mysterious connections. This supersense imbues objects and people with the power of good or evil, leading to the creation of taboos and sacred values that help hold societies together.

The book presents fascinating examples and case studies that illustrate the pervasiveness of supernatural thinking, such as the reluctance to wear a cardigan once owned by a serial killer or the eagerness to hold a pen used by Albert Einstein. Hood also draws on psychology experiments involving infants and children to support his arguments, although some reviewers question the applicability of these findings to adult reasoning.

"SuperSense" offers a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of the science behind irrational beliefs, suggesting that spiritual thinking is an inherent part of being human. By understanding the roots of superstition and the supersense, Hood aims to promote a more tolerant and unified society, where even skeptics can appreciate the role of irrationality in shaping human behavior and social cohesion.