Evolutionary Psychology -- Why Do We Believe In God II ?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/b...

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/t...


This two part video was inspired by an interesting article in Psychology Today titled "Why do we believe in God?' In this article, Evolutionary Psychologist Dr. Satoshi Kanazawa presented his findings using the methods of Error Management Theory.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• atheism
• atheist
• christian
• christianity
• religion
• muslim
• islam
• error
• management
• theory
• Satoshi
• Kanazawa
• psychology
• hinduism
• hindu
• evolution
• evolutionary
• god
• allah
• sex
• sexual
• interest
• belief
• religiousity

[cmpresents]

If this theory was true, at least 50% of all animals would be religious. But again what we have here is just another random theory of evolution.

[iviewthetube]

@cmpresents

Ha, ha, you might be on to something.

I've often wondered why whales and dolphines sometimes beach themselves, sometimes in masses.

Perhaps it is some sort of religious ritual.

[npa992]

The great question in philosophy has finally been answered. It seems Immanuel Kant, William James, Soren Kierkegaard, etc. they were all of them wrong. Religion is simply an expression of paranoia. The ignorance of religion is clearly evident in this video.

A classic example of straw-man fallacy, coupled with ignorance and lack of philosophy (Pardon me if some of my statements are ad hominum) This video just was really infuriating in its assumptions about what religion is or is not.

[iviewthetube]

@npa992

I tend to think that paranoia is just one of several reasons as to why religions evolved. I could name at least another dozen contributing factors.

[janbananajr2]

I think religion is part of the evolution of inteligence. Becuse it gave people who where god at explaining unexplainable things (priest shams etc) high status.

[iviewthetube]

@janbananajr2

Ha, ha, and questioning high status "authority" could get you killed.

[moonmilk15]

Good stuff, thanks for the video! 

[PsychedelicSexDream]

This does not really apply to brutally enforced institutionalized religion organization just the basic mechanisms of forming beliefs. 

short answer :we are religious because its better to be religious(wrong) than dead.

I'm not paranoid... I just believe there is a being constantly watching and judging me , d'oh!

Modern religion specifically, systematically targets this trait for the purpose of power, wealth and control.

[xeniartius]

Humans believe in religions because humans don't want to die and wants to live eternally, which is most basic problem of the human-kind and the promise of nearly all Religions. What's surprising is that, according to religions, we need to practice some sort of actions to win this prize, but, then the things get starts to be controversial.

[Bionuker]

I think another interesting fact is this: animals tend to try random things, and when a reward is given, they will tend to repeat the behavior that may have caused the reward. Example: the rain dance. If an indian guy does the rain dance, and it rains a minute later, he will think the rain dance caused the rain (while in reality, it was coincidence). From that moment on, he will do the rain dance because he was rewarded in the past. Instead of rain dance, think about praying and pregnancy.

[eswyatt]

An equally important part, I think, is that we all have a theory of mind. Inferring a mind in others that has similar wants, dislikes and values enables us to cooperate with others, and to obtain the advantages of cooperation. Imagine if you had no idea other people needed food, or disliked pain! That belief system would practically kill any chances of cooperation. Is is but a short step from inferring a mind in others to inferring a mind in inanimate objects and nature.