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...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Brill
[2020]
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In: |
Journal of cognition and culture
Year: 2020, Volume: 20, Issue: 3/4, Pages: 304-316 |
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Barrett, Justin L. 1971-
/ Intelligent design
/ Religiosity
/ God
/ Faith
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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) |
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. |
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ISSN: | 1568-5373 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of cognition and culture
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/15685373-12340086 |