Finding Purpose in a Godless World: Why We Care Even If the Universe Doesn't [Hardcover]

Ralph Lewis asks and then answers some very big questions in this fine book. How are we to understand the world as it is, and how have we arrived at these insights in our long journey from the primordial swamp? Drawing from disparate disciplines, he skillfully weighs up competing scientific and religious theories. The result is an informative, highly readable tour de force, the modern persons guide for the perplexed.Anthony Feinstein, professor of psychiatry, University of Toronto?In Finding Purpose in a Godless World, psychiatrist Ralph Lewis presents an?interdisciplinary view of how our purpose, morality and meaning evolved. With recent ethno-sectarian conflicts seemingly on the rise throughout the world, whether for religious or other ideological reasons, a more global, humanistic vision is sorely needed. This is where the richness of his book shines through, since Dr. Lewis exemplifies an abiding respect for humans in their individual, complicated journeys through life, but is never patronizing. On behalf of reasonand purposesecular humanists, too, would do well to become emissaries for compassion and understanding.?Toni Van Pelt, president of the Institute for Science and Human Values, and president of the National Organization for WomenThis book is a brilliant refutation of transcendence. Ralph Lewis convincingly shows that since we are biological organisms in a natural environment, purpose simply cannot fall from on high. Purpose is bottom-up, not top-down; evolved, not bestowed.Dan Barker, author of?Life Driven Purpose: How an Atheist Finds Meaning?Lewiss personal life experiences, combined with his professional career as a psychiatrist, have given us a unique insight into the wonder, beauty, and splendor that comes from an indifferent but truly magnificent universe. Drawing heavily upon evolutionary science and psychiatry, Dr. Lewis provides a pragmatically sound argument demonstrating how, precisely, humans have evolved to develop values, calâ