The Naturalness Of Religious Ideas

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The Naturalness of Religious Ideas

Pascal Boyer
The Naturalness of Religious Ideas Book PDF

Author : Pascal Boyer
Publisher : Univ of California Press
Page : 679 pages
File Size : 47,6 Mb
Release : 2023-12-22
Category : Social Science
ISBN : 9780520911628

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The Naturalness of Religious Ideas by Pascal Boyer Pdf

Why do people have religious ideas? And why thosereligious ideas? The main theme of Pascal Boyer's work is that important aspects of religious representations are constrained by universal properties of the human mind-brain. Experimental results from developmental psychology, he says, can explain why certain religious representations are more likely to be acquired, stored, and transmitted by human minds. Considering these universal constraints, Boyer proposes an exciting new answer to the question of why similar religious representations are found in so many different cultures. His work will be widely discussed by cultural anthropologists, psychologists, and students of religion, history, and philosophy.

The Naturalness of Belief

Paul Copan,Charles Taliaferro
The Naturalness of Belief Book PDF

Author : Paul Copan,Charles Taliaferro
Publisher : Lexington Books
Page : 295 pages
File Size : 46,7 Mb
Release : 2018-11-13
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9781498579919

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The Naturalness of Belief by Paul Copan,Charles Taliaferro Pdf

Despite its name, “naturalism” as a world-view turns out to be rather unnatural in its strict and more consistent form of materialism and determinism. This is why a number of naturalists opt for a broadened version that includes objective moral values, intrinsic human dignity, consciousness, beauty, personal agency, and the like. But in doing so, broad naturalism begins to look more like theism. As many strict naturalists recognize, broad naturalism must borrow from the metaphysical resources of a theistic world-view, in which such features are very natural, common sensical, and quite “at home” in a theistic framework. The Naturalness of Belief begins with a naturalistic philosopher’s own perspective of naturalism and naturalness. The remaining chapters take a multifaceted approach in showing theism’s naturalness and greater explanatory power. They examine not only rational reasons for theism’s ability to account for consciousness, intentionality, beauty, human dignity, free will, rationality, and knowledge; they also look at common sensical, existential, psychological, and cultural reasons—in addition to the insights of the cognitive science of religion.

Pluralism: The Future of Religion

Kenneth Rose
Pluralism The Future of Religion Book PDF

Author : Kenneth Rose
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Page : 176 pages
File Size : 48,5 Mb
Release : 2013-03-28
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781441157768

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Pluralism: The Future of Religion by Kenneth Rose Pdf

Theology of religions has defaulted in the last two decades to an epicyclic inclusivism which seeks to undermine pluralism with claims that it is covertly triumphalistic and that it mirrors the logic of exclusivism. With the exception of pioneers in the field such as John Hick and Paul Knitter, most major figures in this theological field have retreated from pluralism and promote versions of particularism and inclusivism. Pluralism: The Future of Religion argues for an apophatic pluralism that is motivated by the insight that it is impossible to secure universal assent for changeable bodies of religious teachings. This insight implies the non-finality and consequent 'departicularization' of all religious teachings and their inclusivistic defenses. These conclusions point us inevitably toward pluralism and lead us out of the inclusivistic impasse of contemporary theology in religions.

Changing Trajectories of Religion and Popular Culture

Slawomir Sztajer,Jarema Drozdowicz
Changing Trajectories of Religion and Popular Culture Book PDF

Author : Slawomir Sztajer,Jarema Drozdowicz
Publisher : LIT Verlag Münster
Page : 162 pages
File Size : 54,8 Mb
Release : 2019-05
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 9783643910561

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Changing Trajectories of Religion and Popular Culture by Slawomir Sztajer,Jarema Drozdowicz Pdf

Cultural diversity and cultural change make it difficult to define and theorize cultural phenomena. This is especially apparent in the case of such cultural areas as religion and popular culture. This book presents ways to understand and explain the diversity and variability of religious and popular culture phenomena. The first part of this book focuses on the cognitive foundations and cultural dimensions of religious phenomena. The cognitive science of religion provides a new theoretical framework for explaining religious diversity and variability. The second part is dedicated to the study of selected phenomena of popular culture from the perspective distinctive to cultural anthropology. It attempts to bring into light this features of popular culture phenomena that have direct impact on cultural subjects.

Excellent Beauty

Eric Dietrich
Excellent Beauty Book PDF

Author : Eric Dietrich
Publisher : Columbia University Press
Page : 208 pages
File Size : 41,8 Mb
Release : 2015-06-09
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780231539357

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Excellent Beauty by Eric Dietrich Pdf

Flipping convention on its head, Eric Dietrich argues that science uncovers awe-inspiring, enduring mysteries, while religion, regarded as the source for such mysteries, is a biological phenomenon. Just like spoken language, Dietrich shows that religion is an evolutionary adaptation. Science is the source of perplexing yet beautiful mysteries, however natural the search for answers may be to human existence. Excellent Beauty undoes our misconception of scientific inquiry as an executioner of beauty, making the case that science has won the battle with religion so thoroughly it can now explain why religion persists. The book also draws deep lessons for human flourishing from the very existence of scientific mysteries. It is these latter wonderful, completely public truths that constitute some strangeness in the proportion, revealing a universe worthy of awe and wonder.

What Is Religion?

Thomas A. Idinopulos,Brian Courtney Wilson
What Is Religion Book PDF

Author : Thomas A. Idinopulos,Brian Courtney Wilson
Publisher : BRILL
Page : 206 pages
File Size : 48,6 Mb
Release : 1998
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9004110224

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What Is Religion? by Thomas A. Idinopulos,Brian Courtney Wilson Pdf

Of Religion: BRIAN C. WILSON.

A Natural History of Natural Theology

Helen De Cruz,Johan De Smedt
A Natural History of Natural Theology Book PDF

Author : Helen De Cruz,Johan De Smedt
Publisher : MIT Press
Page : 265 pages
File Size : 53,6 Mb
Release : 2024-06-11
Category : Science
ISBN : 9780262552455

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A Natural History of Natural Theology by Helen De Cruz,Johan De Smedt Pdf

An examination of the cognitive foundations of intuitions about the existence and attributes of God. Questions about the existence and attributes of God form the subject matter of natural theology, which seeks to gain knowledge of the divine by relying on reason and experience of the world. Arguments in natural theology rely largely on intuitions and inferences that seem natural to us, occurring spontaneously—at the sight of a beautiful landscape, perhaps, or in wonderment at the complexity of the cosmos—even to a nonphilosopher. In this book, Helen De Cruz and Johan De Smedt examine the cognitive origins of arguments in natural theology. They find that although natural theological arguments can be very sophisticated, they are rooted in everyday intuitions about purpose, causation, agency, and morality. Using evidence and theories from disciplines including the cognitive science of religion, evolutionary ethics, evolutionary aesthetics, and the cognitive science of testimony, they show that these intuitions emerge early in development and are a stable part of human cognition. De Cruz and De Smedt analyze the cognitive underpinnings of five well-known arguments for the existence of God: the argument from design, the cosmological argument, the moral argument, the argument from beauty, and the argument from miracles. Finally, they consider whether the cognitive origins of these natural theological arguments should affect their rationality.

Is Religion Natural?

Dirk Evers,Michael Fuller,Antje Jackelen,Taede Smedes
Is Religion Natural Book PDF

Author : Dirk Evers,Michael Fuller,Antje Jackelen,Taede Smedes
Publisher : A&C Black
Page : 220 pages
File Size : 55,6 Mb
Release : 2012-10-06
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780567227270

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Is Religion Natural? by Dirk Evers,Michael Fuller,Antje Jackelen,Taede Smedes Pdf

An exploration of the relationship between evolutionary psychology, naturalism, and theological reflections, published by ESSSAT, the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology.

Religion Explained

Pascal Boyer
Religion Explained Book PDF

Author : Pascal Boyer
Publisher : Random House
Page : 448 pages
File Size : 52,7 Mb
Release : 2008-12-26
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781407020877

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Religion Explained by Pascal Boyer Pdf

Why are there religious beliefs in all cultures? Do they have features in common and why does religion persist in the face of science? Pascal Boyer shows how experimental findings in cognitive science, evolutionary biology and cultural anthropology are now providing precise answers to these general questions, and providing, for the first time, real answers to the question: Why do we believe?

Intelligent Design and Religion as a Natural Phenomenon

John S. Wilkins
Intelligent Design and Religion as a Natural Phenomenon Book PDF

Author : John S. Wilkins
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 559 pages
File Size : 43,7 Mb
Release : 2017-03-02
Category : Science
ISBN : 9781351927109

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Intelligent Design and Religion as a Natural Phenomenon by John S. Wilkins Pdf

Over the past decade a strident public debate has arisen about the nature and origin of religions. Controversies include how exactly religion evolved, whether by individual or group selection, if it is adaptive, and if not, whether and how it is a side effect of evolution. This volume focuses on the issue of naturalizing religion: on the ways in which cognitive science and social sciences have treated religion as a natural phenomenon. It questions whether religious behaviour, institutions, and experiences can be explained in natural terms. The editor brings together some of the best published work on the definition of 'religion', intelligent design and the evolution of religion.

Beyond Phenomenology

Gavin Flood
Beyond Phenomenology Book PDF

Author : Gavin Flood
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 320 pages
File Size : 43,7 Mb
Release : 1999-08-01
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781441178220

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Beyond Phenomenology by Gavin Flood Pdf

This book argues that the understanding and explanation of religion is always historically contingent. Grounded in the work of Bakhtin and Ricoeur, Flood positions the academic study of religion within contemporary debates in the social sciences and humanities concerning modernity and postmodernity, particularly contested issues regarding truth and knowledge. It challenges the view that religions are privileged, epistemic objects, argues for the importance of metatheory, and presents an argument for the dialogical nature of inquiry. The study of religion should begin with language and culture, and this shift in emphasis to the philosophy of the sign in hermeneutics and away from the philosophy of consciousness in phenomenology has far-reaching implications. It means a new ethic of practice which is sensitive to the power relationship in any epistemology; it opens the door to feminist and postcolonial critique, and it provides a methodology which allows for the interface between religious studies, theology, and the social sciences.

Born Believers

Justin L. Barrett
Born Believers Book PDF

Author : Justin L. Barrett
Publisher : Simon and Schuster
Page : 305 pages
File Size : 47,9 Mb
Release : 2012-03-20
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781439196571

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Born Believers by Justin L. Barrett Pdf

Infants have a lot to make sense of in the world: Why does the sun shine and night fall; why do some objects move in response to words, while others won’t budge; who is it that looks over them and cares for them? How the developing brain grapples with these and other questions leads children, across cultures, to naturally develop a belief in a divine power of remarkably consistent traits––a god that is a powerful creator, knowing, immortal, and good—explains noted developmental psychologist and anthropologist Justin L. Barrett in this enlightening and provocative book. In short, we are all born believers. Belief begins in the brain. Under the sway of powerful internal and external influences, children understand their environments by imagining at least one creative and intelligent agent, a grand creator and controller that brings order and purpose to the world. Further, these beliefs in unseen super beings help organize children’s intuitions about morality and surprising life events, making life meaningful. Summarizing scientific experiments conducted with children across the globe, Professor Barrett illustrates the ways human beings have come to develop complex belief systems about God’s omniscience, the afterlife, and the immortality of deities. He shows how the science of childhood religiosity reveals, across humanity, a “natural religion,” the organization of those beliefs that humans gravitate to organically, and how it underlies all of the world’s major religions, uniting them under one common source. For believers and nonbelievers alike, Barrett offers a compelling argument for the human instinct for religion, as he guides all parents in how to effectively encourage children in developing a healthy constellation of beliefs about the world around them.

Religious Cognition in China

Ryan G. Hornbeck,Justin L. Barrett,Madeleine Kang
Religious Cognition in China Book PDF

Author : Ryan G. Hornbeck,Justin L. Barrett,Madeleine Kang
Publisher : Springer
Page : 221 pages
File Size : 48,7 Mb
Release : 2017-09-27
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9783319629544

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Religious Cognition in China by Ryan G. Hornbeck,Justin L. Barrett,Madeleine Kang Pdf

Are human tendencies toward religious and spiritual thoughts, feelings, and actions outcomes of “natural” cognition? This volume revisits the “naturalness theory of religious cognition” through discussion of new qualitative and quantitative studies examining the psychological foundations of religious and spiritual expression in historical and contemporary China. Naturalness theory has been challenged on the grounds that little of its supporting developmental and experimental research has drawn on participants from predominantly secular cultural environments. Given China’s official secularity, its large proportion of atheists, and its alleged long history of dominant, nonreligious philosophies, can any broad claim for religion’s psychological “naturalness” be plausible? Addressing this empirical gap, the studies discussed in this volume support core naturalness theory predictions for human reasoning about supernatural agency, intelligent design, the efficacy of rituals, and vitalistic causality. And yet each study elucidates, expands upon, or even challenges outright the logical assumptions of the naturalness theory. Written for a non-specialist audience, this volume introduces the naturalness theory and frames the significance of these new findings for students and scholars of cultural psychology, the psychology of religion, the anthropology of religion, and Chinese Studies.

The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology and Religion

James R. Liddle
The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology and Religion Book PDF

Author : James R. Liddle
Publisher : Oxford University Press, USA
Page : 399 pages
File Size : 40,5 Mb
Release : 2021
Category : Psychology
ISBN : 9780199397747

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The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology and Religion by James R. Liddle Pdf

Résumé : This handbook is currently in development, with individual articles publishing online in advance of print publication. At this time, we cannot add information about unpublished articles in this handbook, however the table of contents will continue to grow as additional articles pass through the review process and are added to the site. Please note that the online publication date for this handbook is the date that the first article in the title was published online. For more information, please read the site FAQs.

Liberation Philosophy: From the Buddha to Omar Khayyam

Mostafa Vaziri
Liberation Philosophy From the Buddha to Omar Khayyam Book PDF

Author : Mostafa Vaziri
Publisher : Vernon Press
Page : 335 pages
File Size : 54,5 Mb
Release : 2019-09-30
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 9781622737345

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Liberation Philosophy: From the Buddha to Omar Khayyam by Mostafa Vaziri Pdf

The critical narrative of this interdisciplinary book offers a first-time look at the interrelationship between biology, mythology and philosophy in human development. Its daring premise follows the trajectory of human thought, starting with the biological roots of fear and the original need for religion, truth-seeking, and myth-making. The narrative then innovatively links a number of maverick philosophical teachings over the centuries, from pre-Buddhist times to the Buddha, from Epicurus and Pyrrho to Lucretius, and eventually to the seminal poetry of Omar Khayyam. These emergent philosophies exemplified liberation from the grasp of mythical and religious thinking and instead espoused an empirical and joyful mind. The narrative concludes with a look at the emancipating philosophical movement that resulted in the European Enlightenment, and it suggests that the philosophical teachings explored in the book may offer the potential for a second, broader Enlightenment.