Sacred Neuron Selected as NetLibrary's October eBook of the Month
Celebrated Author Explores New Discoveries Linking Science and Religion

BOULDER, COLO.—Why do we think that some things are beautiful, and others ugly? Why do we think that some things are good, and others evil? Why do we think that some things are true, and others false? These are questions that have puzzled thinkers for millennia. In the past they have been answered by separating our emotional from our rational responses. But recent research in the neurosciences suggests that the questions now deserve very different answers.

In NetLibrary's October eBook of the Month, author John Bowker reveals startling facts about the workings of the human mind and shows that reason and emotion work much more closely together in forming human opinions than has previously been supposed. This compelling insight puts a radically new complexion on how aesthetic and moral judgments are made, on how people and societies interact and on our broader understanding of the human mind.

Applying recent scientific discoveries, Bowker shows how significant the research has been for our understanding of such topics as ritual, the human understanding of God and the fraught relationship between different religions and cultures. In a time when many have made their beliefs a justification for acts of violence and terror, it is more important than ever to understand why they believe what they do, and how faith and belief can be rooted in reason.

Provided through the generous support of I.B. Tauris Publishers, The Sacred Neuron will be available with free, unlimited access October 1-31. To help libraries promote the October eBook of the Month, NetLibrary has developed a tool kit of free promotional materials that includes print-on-demand bookmarks, a sample press release, and electronic support materials. More information is available at:

http://library.netlibrary.com/eBookOfTheMonth.aspx

About the Author

John Bowker is one of the best known contemporary writers on religion, and is the author of many books, including The Meanings of Death, God: A Brief History, and Problems of Suffering in Religions of the World He was formerly Professor of Religious Studies at Lancaster University and, before his retirement, a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

About NetLibrary

Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, NetLibrary (www.netlibrary.org) is a division of Online Computer Library Center, Inc., a worldwide library cooperative. NetLibrary provides content and technical delivery solutions to institutional libraries, corporations and government agencies that facilitate the purchase, management and distribution of research, reference, digital learning, and general interest content via Web-based technologies. NetLibrary's eContent solution is the most broadly adopted in the market, making the content of more than 400 publishers and eContent providers available through more than 13,000 libraries worldwide.