[ExI] Evolutionary psychology and religion

[Kevin Freels]

>
> You put your finger right on it.  "Before everything else - including 
> their own lives and the lives of others."  So what reoccurring 
> situation in the EEA could have led to conditions where this trait 
> would promote genetic survival?
>
> Keith
>
>
>   
War for one.

But maybe it's smaller than that. Maybe it's just a matter of fighting 
over mates. It could be sexually selected. "He who has the biggest balls 
makes offspring."

I had a thought about imagination being tied to it - thinking that the 
ability to imagine a way to win would give a person greater hope. But 
then I dismissed that since most overly religious people I know seem to 
lack imagination which may contribute to their belief of religious 
dogma. (But that is not based on any real observation - just 
speculation. ) I can imagine a scenario where hope despite being able to 
readily imagine a way to win could be used to overcome someone who has 
greater imagination but lacks the conviction. You could end up with a 
positive feedback loop which would reinforce both behaviors. You get 
strongly religious people and a great deal of improved imagination. Of 
course with the gene swapping going on you would still get a great deal 
of people with both traits.

I really haven't given it much thought but I think I'm going to go home 
tonight and ponder it a bit.
>
>
>
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