Jonathan Jong & Sarah Lane Ritchie: Can Scientists study gods, souls, and rituals?

Jan 27, 2020

Join Jonathan Jong, a cognitive and evolutionary anthropology expert, and Sarah Lane Ritchie, a scholar in theology and science, as they dive into the crossroads of science and religion. They explore psychology's role in understanding beliefs about gods and souls, and critique misconceptions in the discipline. The discussion also considers cognitive biases in shaping perceptions of divinity, delves into the philosophical debates about desire and faith, and emphasizes the need for humility in navigating the complex interplay between personal experience and institutional frameworks.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Exploring the Intersection of Science and Faith

02:08 • 3min

Exploring the Intersection of Science, Spirituality, and Philosophy

04:42 • 5min

Exploring Psychology and the Concept of the Soul

09:35 • 11min

Understanding Identity: Mind, Body, and Soul

20:29 • 7min

Belief at the Crossroads of Science and Faith

27:41 • 22min

Desire, Belief, and the Divine

50:05 • 12min

Navigating Belief: Science, Spirituality, and Personal Revelation

01:01:56 • 34min

Theological and Scientific Tensions

01:35:29 • 13min

Behind many Science and Religion conversations are a number of shaping, but often ignored questions. In this episode Jonathan and Sarah join me for a seriously nerdy and revealing dialogue about the nature and limits of science, the character of religious phenomena, the role of philosophy, naturalism(s), theology's place at the table, and much more. On top of all being friends, we each occupy a different network of answers to the questions we tackle. If you enjoy this half as much as I did you will have a wonderful time.

Dr. Jonathan Jong is a Research Fellow at Coventry University, and Deputy Director of the Brain, Belief and Behaviour group there. He is also a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Oxford. Most of his current research is on the psychology of religion and the philosophical issues associated with the scientific study of religion. The Doctor is also a Reverend and Associate Priest at the parish church of St Mary Magdalen, Oxford and the Web Editor for the St Mary Magdalen School of Theology

Check out Jong's last visit to the podcast: Religion, Culture, and Your Impending Death

Dr. Sarah Lane Ritchie is Lecturer in Theology and Science at the University of Edinburgh. She has a PhD in Science and Religion from the University of Edinburgh, where her doctoral work focused on the question of divine action in the human mind. A Michigander by birth, Sarah also holds a BA in Philosophy and Religion from Spring Arbor University, an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, and an MSc in Science and Religion from the University of Edinburgh. Her published work focuses on questions arising from the intersection of theology, philosophy, and the various brain-related sciences. Sarah’s research interests include divine action, philosophy of mind, naturalism, cognitive science of religion, and the psychology of belief formation.

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