Religion and its Evolution: Signals, Norms and Secret Histories

This book explores why individuals and communities invest heavily in their religious life through multi-disciplinary perspectives, offering philosophical, psychological, deep time historical, and adaptive answers to the question. It was originally published as a special issue of Religion, Brain & Behavior.

Format: Hardback
Length: 146 pages
Publication date: 05 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Religion is a complex and enigmatic phenomenon that has puzzled scientists and scholars for centuries. While some form of religion appears to be universal and enduring across different cultures, its origins and purpose remain largely a mystery. In this book, we explore the various perspectives on religion, including philosophical, psychological, deep time historical, and adaptive explanations.

From an evolutionary perspective, religion presents a particularly puzzling puzzle. Commitment to religions often involves significant costs, such as time, resources, and social sanctions, yet most of the beliefs that drive them cannot be true. This inconsistency between religious beliefs and reality raises questions about the adaptive benefits of religion. Some researchers argue that religion may have evolved as a byproduct of other adaptations, such as social cooperation or cognitive biases. Others suggest that religion may have served as a means of promoting social cohesion and stability, particularly in complex societies.

Religion and Its Evolution: Signals, Norms, and Secret Histories seeks to address these challenges by bringing together a diverse range of contributions from experts in the fields of religious studies, sciences of religion, psychology, anthropology, cultural evolution of religion, and sociology of religion. The book explores the various signals, norms, and secret histories that shape religious beliefs and practices across different cultures and time periods.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of cultural evolution in shaping religious beliefs and practices. Researchers argue that cultural evolution is a process by which human societies develop new beliefs, practices, and technologies over time. Religion is one of the most important cultural adaptations that has evolved over millions of years, and it plays a crucial role in shaping human behavior and social organization.

Another theme of the book is the psychological factors that contribute to religious belief and practice. Researchers explore the cognitive biases, social norms, and emotional processes that make religious belief tempting and enduring. They also examine the role of religion in promoting mental health and well-being, particularly in times of stress and adversity.

Religion and Its Evolution: Signals, Norms, and Secret Histories is a comprehensive and theoretically ambitious book that will be a valuable resource for scholars and researchers in the fields of religious studies, sciences of religion, psychology, anthropology, cultural evolution of religion, and sociology of religion. The book offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of religion, and it provides new insights into the origins, purposes, and adaptive benefits of religion.

In conclusion, religion is a complex and enigmatic phenomenon that has puzzled scientists and scholars for centuries. While some form of religion appears to be universal and enduring, its origins and purpose remain largely a mystery. In this book, we explore the various perspectives on religion, including philosophical, psychological, deep time historical, and adaptive explanations. By bringing together a diverse range of contributions from experts in the fields of religious studies, sciences of religion, psychology, anthropology, cultural evolution of religion, and sociology of religion, Religion and Its Evolution: Signals, Norms, and Secret Histories seeks to provide a comprehensive and theoretically ambitious understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of religion.

Weight: 444g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032628004