HIDD’n HADD in Intelligent Design

The idea that religious belief is ‘almost inevitable’ is so forcefully argued by Justin Barrett (2004, 2012) that it can warrant justifiable concern (Shook, 2017; Sterelny, 2018) - especially since he claims atheism is an unnatural handicap (2012, p. 203). In this article, I argue that religious bel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cognition and culture
Main Author: Atkinson, Andrew Ross (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Brill [2020]
In: Journal of cognition and culture
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Barrett, Justin L. 1971- / Intelligent design / Religiosity / God / Faith
RelBib Classification:AA Study of religion
AB Philosophy of religion; criticism of religion; atheism
AE Psychology of religion
NBC Doctrine of God
NBD Doctrine of Creation
Further subjects:B Intelligent design
B HADD
B Religion
B Agency Detection
B cognitive science of religion
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:The idea that religious belief is ‘almost inevitable’ is so forcefully argued by Justin Barrett (2004, 2012) that it can warrant justifiable concern (Shook, 2017; Sterelny, 2018) - especially since he claims atheism is an unnatural handicap (2012, p. 203). In this article, I argue that religious belief in Homo sapiens isn’t inevitable - and that Barrett does agree when pushed. I describe the role played by a Hyperactive Agency Detection Device (HADD) in the generation of belief in God as necessary but insufficient in explaining religious culture - I distance myself from some common conceptions of HADD and the view I take of it is unorthodox. I point out that the conclusion to Barrett’s (2004) book, ‘Why Would Anyone Believe in God?’ is a fine example of the very hyperactive agency detection Barrett himself describes, and is therefore highly suspect.
ISSN:1568-5373
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of cognition and culture
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/15685373-12340086