In the Name of God: The Evolutionary Origins of Religious Ethics and Violence

by John Teehan (Hofstra University, USA)

• ISBN13: 9781444320701
• ISBN10: 144432070X
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2010-01-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Religion is one of the most powerful forces running through human history, and although often presented as a force for good, its impact is frequently violent and divisive. This provocative work brings together cutting-edge research from both evolutionary and cognitive psychology to help readers understand the psychological structure of religious morality and the origins of religious violence. Introduces a fundamentally new approach to the analysis of religion in a style accessible to the general reader Applies insights from evolutionary and cognitive psychology to both Judaism and Christianity, and their texts, to help understand the origins of religious violence Argues that religious violence is grounded in the moral psychology of religion Illustrates its controversial argument with reference to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the response to the attacks from both the terrorists and the President. Suggests strategies for beginning to counter the divisive aspects of religion. Discusses the role of religion and religious criticism in the contemporary world. Argues for a position sceptical of the moral authority of religion, while also critiquing the excesses of the "new atheists" for failing to appreciate the moral contributions of religion.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Evolution and Mind

The Evolution of Morality

Setting the Task

The Moral Brain

The First Layer: Kin Selection

The Second Layer: Reciprocal Altruism

A Third Layer: Indirect Reciprocity

A Fourth Layer: Cultural Group Selection

A Fifth Layer: The Moral Emotions

Conclusion: From Moral Grammar to Moral Systems

The Evolution of Moral Religions

Setting the Task

The Evolution of the Religious Mind

Conceptualizing the Almighty

The Moral Function of Gods

Evolutionary Religious Ethics: Judaism

Setting the Task

Constructing Yahweh

The Ten Commandments: An Evolutionary Interpretation

Conclusion: The Evolved Law

Evolutionary Religious Ethics: Christianity

Setting the Task

Constructing the Christ

Setting the Boundaries: Christian and/or Jew?

The Third Race: Christians as In-Group

Putting on Christ: Christianity's Signals of Commitment

Loving Your Neighbor and Turning the Other Cheek

Religion, Violence, and the Evolved Mind

Setting the Task

Devoted to Destruction: Sanctified Violence and Judaism

The Blood of the Lamb

A Case Study in the Evolved Psychology of Religious Violence: 9/11

Religion Evolving

Setting the Task

Varieties of Religious Expressions

If There Were No God

Religion, Ethics, and Violence: An Assessment

Responding to Religion, Ethics, and Violence: Some Proposals

Conclusions

Notes

Bibliography

Index

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