What happens in our minds during a near-death experience? Why do ancestral fears persist? Emeric Lebreton takes readers on a captivating journey through the evolution of human consciousness, from the first cell to Homo sapiens. Drawing on striking stories, historical figures, and scientific case studies, the author explores how emotions, empathy, and traditions shape our perception of the world. At the crossroads of neuroscience, history, and anthropology, this book sheds light on the deep mechanisms of our collective consciousness.