From Trance to Extraterrestrials: Developments in Human Evolution, Robin Dunbar, Simon Conway Morris

A discussion of two new books on human evolution by leading evolutionary biologists, Robin Dunbar and Simon Conway Morris.

Dunbar offers a revisionary account of the emergence of religion in Homo sapiens. Conway Morris considers widespread myths in Darwinian evolution, of which he is a leading researcher and advocate.

Put together, the books suggest a fascinating glimpse into not only the religious past of humans but the religious future. The trance and mystical states which so captivated our ancestors may transhumanise us again, offering new ways of navigating the cosmos.

I wrote an essay for Aeon drawing on Dunbar's ideas here - https://aeon.co/essays/how-trance-states-forged-human-society-through-transcendence

I wrote an essay for Aeon drawing on Conway Morris' ideas here - https://aeon.co/essays/words-have-soul-on-the-romantic-theory-of-language-origin

A YouTube on the evolution of Homo spiritualis is here - https://youtu.be/0XUWYn8SyT8

Details of Robin Dunbar's book are here - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/316/316135/how-religion-evolved/9780241431788.html

Details of Simon Conway Morris' book are here - https://templetonpress.org/books/from-extraterrestrials-to-animal-minds/