360 - John Vervaeke - The Cognitive Science of Ritual
The Symbolic World
Rituals Mark Transformative Moments
Marking significant life transitions with rituals, such as awarding badges or uniforms, serves as a critical acknowledgment of change in identity. This process highlights the importance of ritual in recognizing transformative moments. The function of consciousness has evolved, particularly to support episodic memory, which allows individuals to relive experiences rather than merely recall them. Episodic memory is crucial for problem-solving beyond mere beliefs and skills, as it integrates with narrative. Narratives combine different types of memory, making storytelling a powerful tool for understanding and processing experiences.
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