Descartes' Baby by Paul Bloom

A very interesting book based on the thesis that children are born dualists, believing in body and soul. While believing that dualism has been proven false by science, particularly neuroscience, Bloom is outspoken in stating that dualism is what everyone intuitively believes and this is why religion and spirituality and morals are universal. He purports to have a materialist stance that still admits morality and truth, and carefully defends evolution. My biased reading of the book finds his data and exposition fascinating and persuasive. His defense of materialism, his interpretation of science, and his attempt to salvage morality is to me weak and flawed of course. His child studies are delightful, his discussion of ethics is insightful, his presentation of religion is very fair-minded. A very good book.