[ExI] Genetics and belief Was: Re: creationism in britain?

[Max More]

At 06:40 PM 9/14/2008, John Grigg wrote:

>I wonder to what extent genetics play a part in belief/unbelief.  I 
>have read that both Max and Natasha have siblings who are devout 
>Evangelicals (and also bright and well educated, which is to be expected).

As I learned only a few years ago, my two brothers are actually 
half-brothers. (I'm half-Welsh, not half-Irish as I had thought for 
40 years.) My oldest half-brother, Russell, died a few years ago. 
Both were/are bright, but not especially well-educated. After my 
grandfather, I'm the first member of my family to go to 
university/college. Russell and Martin both became highly 
religious--fundamentalist Christian--despite having been atheists in 
their early 20s.

I'm not especially inclined to finger a genetic cause of that. I 
suspect environmental/family factors were more significant. Russell 
seemed to calm down about his religion over time (from an incessant 
talking about Jesus, when I was in my mid-teens). Martin is still 
devout (and apparently his wife talks in tongues at their church). 
Interestingly (at least to me), Martin always had much more of a 
socialistic and pessimistic view of life and the world compared to 
Russell. (I once briefly outlined libertarian views to Russell. He 
responded quite favorably.)

Although the man who I thought was my biological father turned out 
not to be, I am still proud of Michael Joseph O'Connor's refusal to 
buy into Christianity even as my half-brothers implored and preached, 
as he lay in a hospital bed dying. If the longevity revolution 
arrives too late for me, I aim to die (or be frozen) with the same 
steadfast intellectual honesty.

Fortunately, a remarkable number of Cosmic Engineers and universal 
architects are here to help us all improve our odds.

Upward and Outward!

Max


Max More, Ph.D.
Strategic Philosopher
www.maxmore.com
max at maxmore.com