doi:10.1016/j.tics.2009.12.007The origins of religion : evolved adaptation or by-product?
Ilkka Pyysiäinen1, and Marc Hauser2
1 Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, P.O. Box 4, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
2 Departments of Psychology and Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Abstract
Considerable debate has surrounded the question of the origins and evolution of religion. One proposal views religion as an adaptation for cooperation, whereas an alternative proposal views religion as a by-product of evolved, non-religious, cognitive functions. We critically evaluate each approach, explore the link between religion and morality in particular, and argue that recent empirical work in moral psychology provides stronger support for the by-product approach. Specifically, despite differences in religious background, individuals show no difference in the pattern of their moral judgments for unfamiliar moral scenarios. These findings suggest that religion evolved from pre-existing cognitive functions, but that it may then have been subject to selection, creating an adaptively designed system for solving the problem of cooperation.
Considerable debate has surrounded the question of the origins and evolution of religion. One proposal views religion as an adaptation for cooperation, whereas an alternative proposal views religion as a by-product of evolved, non-religious, cognitive functions. We critically evaluate each approach, explore the link between religion and morality in particular, and argue that recent empirical work in moral psychology provides stronger support for the by-product approach. Specifically, despite differences in religious background, individuals show no difference in the pattern of their moral judgments for unfamiliar moral scenarios. These findings suggest that religion evolved from pre-existing cognitive functions, but that it may then have been subject to selection, creating an adaptively designed system for solving the problem of cooperation.
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NOTA IMPERTINENTE DESTE BLOGGER:
Daniel Dennett afirmou que Darwin teve a maior ideia que toda a humanidade já teve, e que esta ideia -- a origem e evolução das espécies através da seleção natural é um “ácido universal” que corroeu todas as crenças tradicionais". A crença tradicional materialista sobre a religião é ancorada em Marx. O comunista que precisou de um capitalista para sobreviver e escrever O capital, afirmou que a religião é o ópio do povo. Darwin diz que não, a religião não é o ópio do povo, mas produto da seleção natural. Seleciona dentre uma população os mais aptos, que passarão os seus 'memes' (Dawkins) religiosos para sua prole, confirmando assim o que Darwin disse: o mais apto sobrevive!
Uau! Eu acho que eu tive uma recaída darwinista...
