Why Would Anyone Believe in God?

Häftad, Engelska, 2004

Del i serien Cognitive Science of Religion

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Beskrivning

Because of the design of our minds. That is Justin Barrett's simple answer to the question of his title. With rich evidence from cognitive science but without technical language, psychologist Barrett shows that belief in God is an almost inevitable consequence of the kind of minds we have. Most of what we believe comes from mental tools working below our conscious awareness. And what we believe consciously is in large part driven by these unconscious beliefs. Barrett demonstrates that beliefs in gods match up well with these automatic assumptions; beliefs in an all-knowing, all-powerful God match up even better. Barrett goes on to explain why beliefs like religious beliefs are so widespread and why it is very difficult for our minds to think without them. Anyone who wants a concise, clear, and scientific explanation of why anyone would believe in God should pick up Barrett's book.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2004-04-21
Mått:150 x 230 x 10 mm
Vikt:260 g
Format:Häftad
Språk:Engelska
Serie:Cognitive Science of Religion
Antal sidor:152
Förlag:AltaMira Press
ISBN:9780759106673

Utforska kategorier

Psykologi inom Psykologi och pedagogik
Religion och tro inom Filosofi och religion

Mer om författaren

After completing his Ph.D. in experimental psychology at Cornell University, Justin Barrett served on the psychology faculties of Calvin College (Michigan) and the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), and as a research fellow of the Institute for Social Research. Recently, he was the Associate Director for the International Culture and Cognition Consortium and an editor of the Journal of Cognition and Culture. His cross-cultural, developmental, and experimental research on religious concepts has appeared in numerous books and scholarly journals. Dr. Barrett currently provides consulting on numerous research and evaluation projects for academic and non-profit groups, especially concerning the interface of science and religion.

Recensioner i media

For millennia, philosophers and others have offered explanations of religious belief. Barrett's discussion challenges every explanation I know of, doing so on the basis of fascinating and innovative empirical studies, and acute philosophical analysis. His theory is innovative, compelling, and provocative at many points, not least in its conclusion that theism, not atheism, is our natural condition. It's the sort of book that shakes up the field; all philosophers and psychologists of religion will have to take account of it.

Innehållsförteckning

1 Preface2 What does it mean to "believe"?3 Where Do Beliefs in Gods Come From? Religious Concepts as Minimally Counterintuitive4 Where Do Beliefs in Gods Come From? Finding Agents Everywhere5 Where Do Gods Come From? Additional Factors that Contribute to Gods' Credibility6 How Religious Actions Enhance Belief in Gods7 The Naturalness of Belief in God8 The Naturalness of Believing in Minds: An Analog for Understanding Belief in God9 Why Would Anyone NOT Believe in God?10 In Conclusion