Thomas M. Schmidt (ed.)
Michael G. Parker (ed.)
Pascal Boyer

The Fracture Of An Illusion

Science And The Dissolution Of Religion. Frankfurt Templeton Lectures 2008. Mit einem Nachwort von Wolfgang Achtner und Elisabeth Gräb-Schmidt

Religion, Theologie und Naturwissenschaft / Religion, Theology, and Natural Science (RThN), Band 20
1. Auflage 2010
112 pages, kartoniert
39.95 € [D]
If you have placed a standing order for the series: 35.95 € [D]
About the serial prices
ISBN 978-3-525-56940-5

About this book

Pascal Boyer argues that religion is largely an illusion. The anthropologist traces religion’s cognitive and evolutionary aspects. By »religion« he means a kind of existential and cognitive »package« that includes views about supernatural agency (gods), notions of morality, particular rituals and sometimes particular experiences, as well as membership in a particular community of believers. The package, however, does not really exist as such. Notions of supernatural agents, of morality, of ethnic identity, or ritual requirements and other experience, all appear in human minds independently. This implies that there is no such thing as a conflict between science and religion. Boyer takes the reader onto a journey through science and the dissolution of religion.

Content

1. Is there such a thing as religion? 4
2. What is natural in religions? 24
3. Do religions make people better? 42
4. Is there a religious experience? 60
5. Are religions against reason and freedom? 77
Bibliography 106
Notes 114