Neil Van Leeuwen, an author and researcher, delves into the intriguing realm of belief, imagination, and group identity. He argues that religious beliefs function similarly to imaginative play, creating a layered cognitive experience. Van Leeuwen discusses how communal identities are shaped through these beliefs and contrasts emotional engagement with factual foundations. He also highlights the interplay of prayer and action, the dynamics of faith versus doubt, and the complexities of childhood belief systems, ultimately revealing that belief often transcends empirical evidence.

Professor Neil Van Leeuwen discusses the difference between thinking and believing, groupish thought, and the similarities between religious creeds and political ideologies. They also delve into Scarlett Johansson's AI controversy, the impact of misinformation in the digital era, and the emotional responses triggered when symbolic beliefs are challenged.

Neil Van Leeuwen, a philosophy professor at Florida State University and author of "Religion as Make Believe," dives into the intriguing idea of religion as a form of make-believe. He explores how religious beliefs compare to children’s imaginative play, emphasizing their psychological foundations. The conversation also tackles how belief shapes group identity and persists despite counter-evidence. With insights on religious trauma and deconstruction, Neil offers a thoughtful perspective on managing strong beliefs and the importance of access to academic literature.

------------------Support the channel------------ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedissenter PayPal: paypal.me/thedissenter PayPal Subscription 1 Dollar: https://tinyurl.com/yb3acuuy PayPal Subscription 3 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ybn6bg9l PayPal Subscription 5 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ycmr9gpz PayPal Subscription 10 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y9r3fc9m PayPal Subscription 20 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y95uvkao   This show is sponsored by Enlites, Learning & Development done differently. Check the website here: http://enlites.com/   Dr. Neil Van Leeuwen is Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Philosophy at the Neuroscience Institute at Georgia State University. His research focuses on the question of what belief is. His approach involves contrasting belief with imagining and other cognitive attitudes. Accordingly, he also focuses on several topics having to do with imagination, like pretend play, mental imagery, the role of imagination in guiding action generally. His interest in belief and other cognitive attitudes also manifests itself in research on related topics like self-deception and religious credence (and how religious credence differs from factual belief). He is the author of Religion as Make-Believe: A Theory of Belief, Imagination, and Group Identity.   In this episode, we focus on Religion as Make-Believe. We talk about religious credence, and how it differs from factual belief. We discuss whether religious people treat religious beliefs as factual beliefs. We talk about make-believe play, and its features and psychological effects. We discuss the relationship between imagining and religious credence. We talk about sacred values. We discuss whether religion is irrational. Finally, we discuss whether this framework applies to all religions, and the future of the study of religion. -- A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS/SUPPORTERS: PER HELGE LARSEN, JERRY MULLER, HANS FREDRIK SUNDE, BERNARDO SEIXAS, OLAF ALEX, ADAM KESSEL, MATTHEW WHITINGBIRD, ARNAUD WOLFF, TIM HOLLOSY, HENRIK AHLENIUS, JOHN CONNORS, FILIP FORS CONNOLLY, DAN DEMETRIOU, ROBERT WINDHAGER, RUI INACIO, ZOOP, MARCO NEVES, COLIN HOLBROOK, PHIL KAVANAGH, SAMUEL ANDREEFF, FRANCIS FORDE, TIAGO NUNES, FERGAL CUSSEN, HAL HERZOG, NUNO MACHADO, JONATHAN LEIBRANT, JOÃO LINHARES, STANTON T, SAMUEL CORREA, ERIK HAINES, MARK SMITH, JOÃO EIRA, TOM HUMMEL, SARDUS FRANCE, DAVID SLOAN WILSON, YACILA DEZA-ARAUJO, ROMAIN ROCH, DIEGO LONDOÑO CORREA, YANICK PUNTER, ADANER USMANI, CHARLOTTE BLEASE, NICOLE BARBARO, ADAM HUNT, PAWEL OSTASZEWSKI, NELLEKE BAK, GUY MADISON, GARY G HELLMANN, SAIMA AFZAL, ADRIAN JAEGGI, PAULO TOLENTINO, JOÃO BARBOSA, JULIAN PRICE, EDWARD HALL, HEDIN BRØNNER, DOUGLAS FRY, FRANCA BORTOLOTTI, GABRIEL PONS CORTÈS, URSULA LITZCKE, SCOTT, ZACHARY FISH, TIM DUFFY, SUNNY SMITH, JON WISMAN, DANIEL FRIEDMAN, WILLIAM BUCKNER, PAUL-GEORGE ARNAUD, LUKE GLOWACKI, GEORGIOS THEOPHANOUS, CHRIS WILLIAMSON, PETER WOLOSZYN, DAVID WILLIAMS, DIOGO COSTA, ANTON ERIKSSON, CHARLES MOREY, ALEX CHAU, AMAURI MARTÍNEZ, CORALIE CHEVALLIER, BANGALORE ATHEISTS, LARRY D. LEE JR., OLD HERRINGBONE, STARRY, MICHAEL BAILEY, DAN SPERBER, ROBERT GRESSIS, IGOR N, JEFF MCMAHAN, JAKE ZUEHL, BARNABAS RADICS, MARK CAMPBELL, TOMAS DAUBNER, LUKE NISSEN, CHRIS STORY, KIMBERLY JOHNSON, BENJAMIN GELBART, JESSICA NOWICKI, LINDA BRANDIN, NIKLAS CARLSSON, ISMAËL BENSLIMANE, GEORGE CHORIATIS, VALENTIN STEINMANN, PER KRAULIS, KATE VON GOELER, ALEXANDER HUBBARD, LIAM DUNAWAY, BR, MASOUD ALIMOHAMMADI, PURPENDICULAR, JONAS HERTNER, URSULA GOODENOUGH, GREGORY HASTINGS, DAVID PINSOF, SEAN NELSON, MIKE LAVIGNE, JOS KNECHT, ERIK ENGMAN, AND LUCY! A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY PRODUCERS, YZAR WEHBE, JIM FRANK, ŁUKASZ STAFINIAK, TOM VANEGDOM, BERNARD HUGUENEY, CURTIS DIXON, BENEDIKT MUELLER, THOMAS TRUMBLE, KATHRINE AND PATRICK TOBIN, JONCARLO MONTENEGRO, AL NICK ORTIZ, AND NICK GOLDEN! AND TO MY EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS, MATTHEW LAVENDER, SERGIU CODREANU, BOGDAN KANIVETS, AND ROSEY!

Neil Van Leeuwen, a scholar specializing in the intersection of psychology and religion, delves into the nuanced distinctions between religious beliefs and ordinary factual beliefs. He introduces the concept of a 'two-map cognitive structure' that combines factual reality with imaginative realms, shaping group identity and social interactions. Van Leeuwen explains how even improbable beliefs play a vital role in fostering community cohesion. The discussion also touches on the psychological dynamics of faith, doubt, and the meaningful role of petitionary prayer within groups.