Origins of Religion, Cognition and Culture

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Synopsis

Attempts to understand the origins of humanity have raised fundamental questions about the complex relationship between cognition and culture. Central to the debates on origins is the role of religion, religious ritual and religious experience. What came first: individual religious (ecstatic) experiences, collective observances of transition situations, fear of death, ritual competence, magical coercion; mirror neurons or temporal lobe religiosity? Cognitive scientists are now providing us with important insights on phylogenetic and ontogenetic processes. Together with insights from the humanities and social sciences on the origins, development and maintenance of complex semiotic, social and cultural systems, a general picture of what is particularly human about humans could emerge. Reflections on the preconditions for symbolic and linguistic competence and practice are now within our grasp. Origins of Religion, Cognition and Culture puts culture centre stage in the cognitive science of religion.

Book details

Series:
Religion, Cognition and Culture
Author:
Armin W. Geertz
ISBN:
9781317544562
Related ISBNs:
9781315728988, 9781844657018, 9781844657018
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Pages:
488
Reading age:
Not specified
Includes images:
No
Date of addition:
2020-02-02
Usage restrictions:
Copyright
Copyright date:
2014
Copyright by:
N/A 
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Categories:
Nonfiction, Religion and Spirituality