The Evolution of the Human Mind: From Supernaturalism to Naturalism - An Anthropological Perspective

"This insightful overview by a distinguished cultural anthropologist of how humans moved from animistic and supernatural views of the universe, spawned in the infancy of the species, to a naturalistic perspective based on science, is truly inspiring."---Paul Kurtz, State University of New York at Buffalo

"Does God exist? What is clear is that theistic beliefs exist, and their origin and development are brilliantly illuminated here. Carneiro's subtle but enlightening treatment will be a breath of fresh air for all who find answerable questions more interesting than unanswerable ones."---Robert Bates Graber, Truman State University"

"Carneiro's erudition is breathtaking as he explores the concept of the soul, the nature of animate supernatural creatures, the emergence of polytheism, and the rise of monotheism. The evolution of the human mind is handled magnificently in this compelling and original book."---Joyce Marcus, University of Michigan

Robert L. Carneiro has been curator of anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History for more than fifty years. His ethnographic fieldwork has been with Amazonian tribes. His other scientific research has focused on social evolution, especially on the origin of the state.