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Secularisation and the dual inheritance model of religion

Secularisation and the dual inheritance model of religion. or, why the philosophes should have read Darwin. Konrad Talmont-Kaminski Marie Curie-Sklodowska U., Poland. Line of argument. Evolution & secularisation Dual inheritance account Cultural adaptations Cognitive byproducts

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Secularisation and the dual inheritance model of religion

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  1. Secularisation and the dual inheritance model of religion or, why the philosophes should have read Darwin Konrad Talmont-Kaminski Marie Curie-Sklodowska U., Poland

  2. Line of argument Evolution & secularisation Dual inheritance account Cultural adaptations Cognitive byproducts Ancestral traits

  3. Evolution & secularisation Psychological & social mechanisms vital to understanding Only provide proximate explanations Ultimate explanations in terms of evolutionary processes Two kinds of explanations complementary

  4. Evolution & secularisation Evolutionary change not directed Secularisation not inevitable Genetic vs cultural evolution Genotype+environment determine phenotype No genetic or cultural determinism Genetic factors generally less open to change

  5. Dual inheritance * See: Atran, S., Henrich, J. The Evolution of Religion Biological Theory 5.1 (2010) Genetic Evolution l Cultural Evolution Mental Mechanisms z k Magic Cultural Traditions Cognitive Byproducts y q Ideologies Prosocial Adaptations Religions z Magical Ideologies * Grossly simplified version

  6. Magic & secularisation Cognitive basis for magic cannot be eliminated Rationalist critiques only destabilise individual magical B&P Security weakens magical B&P in general Propensity to believe in magic remains

  7. Ideology & secularisation All ideologies function by misrepresenting reality Religions make use of existing cognitive byproducts Rationalist attitudes drive wedge between magic & religion Improve environment for nonreligious ideologies

  8. Ancestral traits Secularisedsocieties Stable despite weak religion Nonreligious ideologies Other strong social institutions Loss of function Genetic/cultural drift

  9. Aspects of secularisation Cognitive basis y No elimination Secure environment y Weak affiliation Loss of function Cultural drift y Unstable affiliation

  10. Konrad Talmont-Kaminski In a Mirror, Darkly: How the Supernatural Reflects Rationality (forthcoming) konrad@talmont.com deisidaimon.wordpress.com Thank you

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