Are Evolutionary/Cognitive Theories of Religion Relevant for Philosophy of Religion?

Abstract. Biological theories of religious belief are sometimes understood to undermine the very beliefs they are describing, proposing an alternative explanation for the causes of belief different from that given by religious believers themselves. This article surveys three categories of biological...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Zygon
Main Author: Peterson, Gregory R. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Wiley-Blackwell 2010
In: Zygon
Further subjects:B Pascal Boyer
B moral cognition
B theory of religion
B evolution of religion
B cognitive science of religion
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Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
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Summary:Abstract. Biological theories of religious belief are sometimes understood to undermine the very beliefs they are describing, proposing an alternative explanation for the causes of belief different from that given by religious believers themselves. This article surveys three categories of biological theorizing derived from evolutionary biology, cognitive science of religion, and neuroscience. Although each field raises important issues and in some cases potential challenges to the legitimacy of religious belief, in most cases the significance of these theories for the holding of religious beliefs is not very great.
ISSN:1467-9744
Contains:Enthalten in: Zygon
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9744.2010.01112.x