Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon By Daniel C. Dennett

Overview Definition of religion Consequences for studying religion Evolution of religion Avenues of research Critique of book

What is Religion? Social systems whose participants avow belief in a supernatural agent or agents whose approval is sought (p. 9)

Characteristics of Religion Maintains Cartesian dualism –Natural and supernatural world –Life after death –Identifies causes of events by looking to God Believes in entities or concepts that are not testable

Religion as a Natural Phenomenon Religions are culturally transmitted through verbal behavior and symbolism Religion is natural instead of supernatural –It is comprised of events, individuals, and human behavior

Why Study Religion? Understand how and why religion influences human behavior Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned. - Anonymous

The Evolution of Religion Before the scientific revolution, understanding of the natural world was minimal People did not understand causal variables of nature Much easier to describe events if you attribute it some type of agency (supernatural entity) Religion was created to describe events in the world that are easily understandable to everyday people Attributed phenomena to an act of God

Avenues of Research

The Cultural Evolution of Religion Evolution requires –Replication –Variation –Differential fitness Religion is replicated through language Variants of religions emerge during conflict Religions are more or less effective in given cultural environments

Avenues of Research Evolutionary history of religion How different religions produce varying religious behavioral patterns How should society handle religious excessiveness (e.g., terrorism related to religion)

Critique of Breaking the Spell Causal variables of religious behavior –Dennett applies an inner agent to behavior –Maintains dualism between inner and outer world –Should look at environmental variables that are associated with religious behavior

Critique of Breaking the Spell T Philosophical issues –Dennett approaches the study of religious behavior from a mechanistic worldview Relates religious behavior to mental structures in the brain May be beneficial to approach religion from a more pragmatic view Should identify environmental events that produce religious behavior instead of assuming mental structures in the brain