Naturalism Theism and the Cognitve Study of Religion: Religion Explained?This book provides a critical philosophical analysis of the claim that contemporary cognitive approaches to religion undermine theistic beliefs. The book argues that such naturalism is not necessary for the cognitive study of religion and develops an alternative philosophical and methodological framework. This unique contribution to discussions regarding the philosophical and theological implications of the cognitive study of religion summarizes the so far fragmentary discussion, exposes its underlying assumptions, and develops a novel framework for further discussion. |
Contents
Introduction
The Cognitive Theories of Religion | 1 |
Religion as a Product of Material Causes | 17 |
Basic Theories | 55 |
3 The Strict Naturalist Programme and the Naturalistic Study of Religion | 85 |
4 A Critique of the Strict Naturalist Programme and a Novel Proposal | 113 |
5 Theism and the Naturalness of Religion | 153 |
195 | |
215 | |
Other editions - View all
Naturalism, Theism, and the Cognitive Study of Religion: Religion Explained? Aku Visala Limited preview - 2011 |
Naturalism, Theism and the Cognitive Study of Religion: Religion Explained? Dr Aku Visala Limited preview - 2013 |
Naturalism, Theism and the Cognitive Study of Religion: Religion Explained? Aku Visala No preview available - 2016 |
Common terms and phrases
According anthropology approach argue assumptions Atran behaviour biological brain C-M model Cambridge causal explanation causes claims cognitive mechanisms cognitive science cognitive systems concepts counterintuitive Craver CSR theories CSR writers Dan Sperber disciplines domains entities Evolutionary Psychology Explaining Culture explanandum explanations of religion explanatory pluralism folk physics folk psychological function Gods We Trust HADD human mind hypothesis individual instance interactions intuitive intuitive knowledge Jerome Barkow John Tooby John’s Justin Barrett Leda Cosmides massive modularity McCauley mental methodological modules natural selection naturalistic explanations notion ofReligion ontological Pascal Boyer personal explanations phenomena philosophical physical physicalist plausible problem processes produce reasons reduction reflective beliefs reformed epistemology relationships Religion Explained religious beliefs religious ideas religious relevance rituals science of religion scientific explanation social socio-cultural Sperber strict naturalism strict naturalist structure study of religion sub-personal explanations supernatural agent representations theism theistic belief theological theories of religion unreliability arguments