Books like Spiritual evolution by George E. Vaillant
In *Spiritual Evolution*, M.D. George E. Vaillant defends the inherent spirituality of humanity, distinct from organized religion. He argues that emotions such as love, hope, joy, forgiveness, and compassion are encoded by evolution and reside in a separate brain region from dogmatic belief. Drawing on 35 years of Harvard’s longitudinal study of adult development, neuropsychology, and cultural history, Vaillant illustrates how natural selection, cultural evolution, and individual life experience together shape a growing spiritual capacity. The book offers a scientific framework for understanding spirituality’s role in human progress and envisions a more loving future for the species.
First publish date: 2008
Genre: Psychology/General Psychology
Authors: George E. Vaillant
★
★
★
★
★
0.0 (0 community ratings)
How are these books recommended?
The books recommended for Spiritual evolution by George E. Vaillant are shaped by reader interaction. Votes on how closely books relate, user ratings, and community comments all help refine these recommendations and highlight books readers genuinely find similar in theme, ideas, and overall reading experience.
Have you read any of these books?
Your votes, ratings, and comments help improve recommendations and make it easier
for other readers to discover books they’ll enjoy.
Books similar to Spiritual evolution (14 similar books)
Eckhart Tolle guides readers toward a pain‑free existence by teaching how to recognize and release mental patterns that cause suffering, encouraging living fully in the present moment.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Eckhart Tolle expands on his bestseller "The Power of Now" to explore how transcending the ego unlocks personal joy, reduces conflict, and creates a more conscious, compassionate world.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Explore the path to inner peace and freedom with Michael A. Singer’s practical guide to letting go of limiting thoughts and emotions.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Garry Wills’s complete Penguin Classics translation of Augustine of Hippo’s spiritual classic, capturing the original’s philosophical depth and poetic power in clear, contemporary language.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Gary Zukav explores humanity’s shift from seeking external power to embracing authentic, spiritually rooted power, showing how reverence, compassion, and trust transform relationships and everyday life.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Pascal Boyer, professor of anthropology, applies cognitive science and evolutionary psychology to uncover the shared foundations of religious belief, showing how our minds and human needs shape diverse faith traditions.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
This volume explains the origins and persistence of religious ideas on the basis of common structures and functions of human thought. It describes the evolutionary forces that molded the modern human mind. It details many adapted features of the brain, illustrating their operation with examples of everyday human behavior.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
The Spiritual Brain explores religious experiences and how they relate to the brain.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
An unbiased, comprehensive introduction to the psychology of religion. This book integrates clinical, theoretical, and empirical literature, as well as biographical information of the lives of significant psychologists and their works. It contains new research on meditation, the correlational study of religion, religion and mental health, object relations theory, pluralism and social constructionism.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Broken Open offers a guide for transforming crisis, loss, and everyday stress into personal growth, blending personal stories, spiritual practices, and psychological insight to help readers emerge more joyful and vibrant.
Similar?
✓ Yes
0
✗ No
0
Some Other Similar Books
The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama and Howard CutlerThe Gospel of Self-Respect by Mahatma Gandhi
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
Have a similar book in mind? Let others know!
Please login to submit books!