The Origin of Man and of His Superstitions

"The Origin of Man and of His Superstitions" by Carveth Read is a book that puts forth an idea about how humans evolved from earlier ape-like forms and how superstitions and magical thinking then arose as cultural beliefs. The big idea is that human evolution, centered around hunting, is tied to the psychological and social changes that brought about superstitions. It starts by explaining how humans came from ape-like ancestors and why hunting was so important. It explains that hunting led to changes in human bodies, like standing upright and having skilled hands, and it also shaped how people worked together and how they thought. Getting meat instead of just fruit changed how humans acted, thought, and lived together, which then made it possible for superstitions to develop later on.