Automatic Religion: Nearhuman Agents of Brazil and France

Automatic Religion explores the boundaries between humans, "nearhumans," and automata, revealing how they were constructed on gendered and racial foundations. It reanimates one of the most mysterious and yet foundational questions in trans-Atlantic thought: what is agency?

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 312 pages
\n Publication date: 15 December 2020
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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Two common answers—free will and religion—are in some ways fundamentally opposed. Whereas free will enjoys a central place in our ideas of spontaneity, authorship, and deliberation, religious practices seem to involve a suspension of or relief from the exercise of our will. What, then, is agency, and why has it occupied such a central place in theories of the human?

Automatic Religion explores an unlikely series of episodes from the end of the nineteenth century, when crucial ideas related to automatism and, in a different realm, the study of religion were both being born. Paul Christopher Johnson draws on years of archival and ethnographic research in Brazil and France to explore the crucial boundaries being drawn at the time between humans, "nearhumans," and automata. As agency came to take on a more central place in the philosophical, moral, and legal traditions of the West, certain classes of people were excluded as less-than-human. Tracking the circulation of ideas across the Atlantic, Johnson tests those boundaries, revealing how they were constructed on largely gendered and racial foundations. In the process, he reanimates one of the most mysterious and yet foundational questions in trans-Atlantic thought: what is agency?

The concept of agency has occupied a central place in theories of the human for centuries, and it remains a topic of intense debate and investigation. While some philosophers argue that agency is an essential characteristic of humans, others argue that it is not unique to our species and can be found in other animals and even in machines.

One of the key distinctions between humans and nonhumans is the presence of free will. Free will is the ability to make choices that are not determined by external factors or by our past experiences. Humans are often considered to have free will because we can deliberate, reason, and make decisions that are not predetermined by our biology or environment.

However, some philosophers argue that free will is an illusion and that our choices are ultimately determined by our biology, genetics, and environment. They argue that our brains

While some philosophers argue that free will is an illusion and that our choices are ultimately determined by our biology, genetics, and environment, others argue that free will is an essential characteristic of humans and that it is necessary for our moral and ethical behavior.

Another distinction between humans and nonhumans is the presence of religion. Religion is a belief system that involves the worship of a deity or deities, the practice of rituals, and the belief in supernatural forces. While religion has been a central feature of human culture for thousands of years, it is not universal and is practiced by only a small percentage of the world's population.

Religious practices can vary widely across different cultures and traditions, but they often involve the suspension of or relief from the exercise of our will. For example, many religious traditions involve the practice of meditation, which involves the suspension of the mind human's active mind and the cultivation of a state of mindfulness and concentration.

In contrast, nonhuman animals do not have the capacity for religious belief or practice. While some animals may exhibit behaviors that are influenced by their environment or genetics, they do not have the capacity for religious belief or practice. For example, some birds may sing in a certain pattern that is influenced by their environment, but they do not have the capacity for religious belief or practice.

Another distinction between humans and nonhumans is the presence of language. Language is a complex system of communication that involves the use of symbols

Another distinction between humans and nonhumans is the presence of language. Language is a complex system of communication that involves the use of symbols, sounds, and gestures to convey meaning. Humans are unique in their ability to use language to create complex structures, such as sentences, paragraphs, and books.

Language is also essential for social interaction and communication, which is crucial for human survival and social organization. Humans are able to communicate with each other through language, share information, and build social relationships.

In contrast, nonhuman animals do not have the capacity for language. While some animals may exhibit behaviors that are influenced by their environment or genetics, they do not have the capacity for language. For example, some birds may sing in a certain pattern that is influenced by their environment, but they do not have the capacity for language.

Another distinction between humans and nonhumans is the presence of culture. Culture is a complex system of shared beliefs, values, and practices that are passed down from generation to generation. Culture is essential for human socialization and identity formation, and it is also a source of meaning and purpose in human life.

Culture can vary widely across different cultures and traditions, but it often involves the suspension of or relief from the exercise of our will. For example, many cultural traditions involve the practice of rituals, which involve the suspension of the human's active mind and the cultivation of a state of mindfulness and concentration.

In contrast, nonhuman animals do not have the capacity for culture. While some animals may exhibit behaviors that are influenced by their environment or genetics, they do not have the capacity for culture. For example, some birds may sing in a certain pattern that is influenced by their environment, but they do not have the capacity for culture.

Another distinction between humans and nonhumans is the presence of technology. Technology is a set of tools and techniques that are used to create and manipulate the natural world. Technology has been a central feature of human culture for thousands of years, and it has transformed the way

Another distinction between humans and nonhumans is the presence of technology. Technology is a set of tools and techniques that are used to create and manipulate the natural world. Technology has been a central feature of human culture for thousands of years, and it has transformed the way humans live, work, and interact with each other.

Technology has enabled humans to develop complex systems of communication, transportation, and agriculture, which have enabled humans to live in larger communities and create more complex societies. Technology has also enabled humans to explore the natural world and discover new knowledge about the universe.

However, technology has also had negative consequences for humans and the natural world. For example, technology has contributed to the destruction of the environment, the depletion of natural resources, and the pollution of the air and water. Technology has also led to the displacement of traditional cultures and the loss of traditional knowledge.

In conclusion, the concept of agency is a complex and multifaceted one that has occupied a central place in theories of the human for centuries. While some philosophers argue that agency is an essential characteristic of humans, others argue that it is not unique to our species and can be found in other animals and even in machines. The presence of free will, religion, language, culture, and technology are some of the key distinctions between humans and nonhumans. While these distinctions may seem obvious, they are not always easy to draw, and they are often influenced by cultural, social, and historical factors. As technology continues to advance, it will be interesting to see how these distinctions continue to evolve and how they will impact our understanding of the human and nonhuman.

\n Weight: 494g\n
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226749723\n \n