Agustín Fuentes, an anthropology and primatology professor, explores the connection between belief and what it means to be human. He discusses the interconnection of biology and culture, the power and dangers of belief, the role of sociality in human capacity, cultural evolution and its impact, the power and perils of belief, and the complexity of belief and the science behind it.
Belief is a central and powerful aspect of being human, driving behavior, ideas, and societies.
Belief has both positive potential for hope and positive actions, as well as the potential for negative and destructive outcomes.
Belief, deeply influenced by biological and cultural processes, has shaped human history and led to the development of complex belief systems.
Deep dives
The capacity to experience awe and wonder is widespread among humans
Humans have the unique ability to experience awe and wonder, which is more widespread than commonly acknowledged. This capacity to experience profound moments, such as observing nature or appreciating beauty, has a transcendent quality. While it is difficult to fully understand this experience, it is evident in human behavior and society. Humans have the distinct capacity to turn these experiences into beliefs, which drive their behavior, ideas, and societies.
Belief is a prominent, promising, and dangerous capacity of humanity
Belief is a central and powerful aspect of being human. It allows individuals to combine their experiences, perceptions, and imagination to develop ideas, concepts, and truths. This capacity to believe is prominent in all humans and underlies their behaviors. Belief has great promise, as it generates hope and drives positive actions. However, belief also has the potential to be dangerous and lead to negative and destructive outcomes. It is crucial to understand and engage with belief to harness its positive potential.
Belief is shaped by evolutionary processes and cultural influences
Belief is deeply intertwined with human evolution. It emerges from the biological and cultural processes that shape humanity. Throughout human history, belief systems have evolved and influenced behavior. Cultural evolution, driven by the interaction between biological and cultural factors, has played a significant role in the development of belief. Humans have developed complex belief systems, including religious beliefs, as a result of their capacity to believe and their evolving cultural realities.
Belief plays a central role in human sociality and collaboration
Belief is a foundational aspect of human social interactions and collaboration. It fosters a sense of solidarity and deepens connections within groups. Humans rely on belief and common understanding to create and maintain societal structures, economies, religions, and legal frameworks. Belief shapes human motivations and behavior, extending beyond individual psychology to generate collective action and cooperation. Harnessing belief can lead to positive outcomes and the advancement of human society.
Belief helps humans navigate complex challenges and find solutions
Belief empowers humans to navigate and overcome challenges that may seem insurmountable. It provides motivation, hope, and inspiration to individuals and groups, enabling them to confront difficult situations. Belief is especially important in times of crisis, where it can drive collective action and problem-solving. By connecting belief with scientific insights and cultural understandings, humans can approach challenges with a comprehensive and inclusive perspective, leading to the discovery of innovative and effective solutions.
The question, what does it mean to be human, demands answers from many fields of study. Agustín Fuentes has looked to anthropology for answers to this question but the answers he has found speak to something that is bigger than science. He proposes that one of the things that make us human is our ability to believe.
Fuentes teaches anthropology and primatology at Princeton University. His studies have brought him around the world, to cities and to remote jungles. He’s written several books, including his most recent, Why We Believe: Evolution and the Human Way of Being, a book that came out of his Gifford Lectures.
This episode was originally aired on December 17th, 2020.
Theme song and credits music by Breakmaster Cylinder. Other music in this episode by Northern Lights, courtesy of Shutterstock, Inc.
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