Dr. Robert Sapolsky's lecture about Biological Underpinnings of Religiosity

Oh my god. I was so disappointed this lecture was excluded from the Stanford playlist. Thank you so much for uploading this.

judging from the size and color of his hair and beard, this lecture recording took place years earlier than the "official" set of 20+ lectures

you know when you have those moments in your life that everything turns? like a light is turned on or the blinds are removed? this lecture is that moment for me. Thank you.

I am amazed at how he can reference biology, psychology, anthropology, and religion.

The OCD part hit very close to home. When I was a child / teenager, I had intrusive thoughts that I cleansed with prayer rituals constantly. That eventually stopped, but my OCD has expressed itself differently over the years. Looking back, this lead me to think that religion lends itself well to OCD as a framework, but I hadn't considered that it might actually be the other way around. Uh, anyway... Obligatory Sapolsky is awesome comment: Sapolsky is such a boss! :P

Seen most of his lectures on Youtube, maybe all of them, many times over. I can honestly say that Dr. Sapolsky has hit the nail on the head in providing evidence towards so many of my own thoughts and theories as to how I perceived my behavior in society and into human behavior in society. As a critical thinker, his arguments appear well documented, unbiased, clear and very sensible. He's also a joy to listen to. He has a unique sense of humor and I love to see anyone with as much enthusiasm and fascination for a craft as Dr. Sapolsky does. He has definitely changed how I view and will continue to view human behavior for both myself and that of society forever. Wish there was more lectures though. I feel ingratiated  never the less to have the opportunity to watch a Stanford lecture in general, at no cost; no complaints. 

This is without a doubt one of the most interesting lectures I've listened to.

my name is Paul, and I find I'm here for absolutely no other reason than I find Sapolsky's lectures interesting.......I have temporal lobe epilepsy and find myself going to church with no faith at all.....fucking AMAZING!

I wish this had 7.4 billion views

I've just read the small novel that is recommended at the end of this video, "Lying Awake" by Mark Salzman. It is beautifully written, and extremely sensitively told from the point of view of the Carmelite who has to choose whether or not to give up this transitory glory of seizure visions in her life. It is clear that the doctor does not understand it the way she does, including the aspect of suffering, and it doesn't make an easy statement on the nature of what is gained or lost in the "cure."

Over and over again, during my enjoyment of the lecture ( again, thank you for posting this!!!), I would blurt out what Dr. Sapolsky was about to say, and when he would say it, I would clap my hands and explode, " YES!!". I'm glad that I was able to watch and enjoy this without being a distraction in the classroom. This is pure mental protein, not mind candy but mind fiber, healthy fuel for the brain. Loving it!!!

So this is the 'final lecture' that he mentioned he decided not to record/post on the official Stanford version of this course (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNnIGh9g6fA).. I always wondered what it was, and I'm sure glad I got to see it!

How To: Give a Lecture.

I'm schizotypal, and in my opinion, this is brilliant.

thank you to whoever posts these brilliant lectures featuring this person. .. excellent!!***

An incredible lecture from a man of incredible brilliance.

Yes -- he is a scientist without political agenda, or not nearly enough to disrupt his integrity as a researcher. He also remembers what it's like to be the one that got away from the observant community -- it can be sensitive or even traumatic -- and remains respectful.

Go to the ABOUT section of this video, there is a link to the full set of lectures.

After only one lesson he is one of the best instructors I have ever learned from

I'd have clapped after this. Those are some lucky students.