The Dissenter

#1010 Michael Price: The Biocultural Evolution of Religion, and Universal Darwinism

6 snips
Oct 24, 2024
Michael Price, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Brunel University London, dives into the intriguing interplay of religion and evolution. He explores how religious belief shapes meaning-making alongside scientific understanding. The discussion highlights the adaptive advantages of religio-spirituality, offering social support and cognitive resilience. Price also delves into Universal Darwinism, connecting evolutionary principles to broader concepts of purpose and morality, emphasizing how these beliefs can coexist and enhance well-being across cultures.
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INSIGHT

Religion's Benefits: Beyond Social Support

  • Religion's health benefits may not solely be from social support.
  • Belief in a higher plan could uniquely contribute to well-being.
INSIGHT

Universal Darwinism: A Cosmic Struggle

  • Universal Darwinism posits that Darwinian principles operate across various domains, from the cosmos to culture.
  • It emphasizes the struggle against entropy as a driving force for order and complexity.
INSIGHT

Universal Darwinism's Implications

  • Universal Darwinism helps understand adaptation's importance in withstanding entropy.
  • Religious thinking may extend this concept of purpose to a higher, non-empirical level.
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