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Cooperation and Group Size
- Early humans lived in small groups due to genetic limitations in cooperation.
- Larger groups needed cultural innovations, like religion, to facilitate trust and cooperation.
Islam and Trade Networks
- Large North African trade networks relied on shared Islamic faith for trust, despite not knowing each other.
- Shared religion served as a trust cue, enabling cooperation between strangers.
Measurable Effects of Religious Practices
- Azim Shariff views religious practices, like the Muslim call to prayer, as having measurable effects on behavior.
- Studies show the call to prayer decreases cheating and increases charitable giving.