The Nostalgia for Origins

Religion, Evolution, Cognition and Memory

Carl Olson

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Hardback

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English

Anthem Press
11 June 2024

Religion & science

A possible source for the origin of religion, founded within Darwinian natural selection and building upon more recent cognitive studies.

Using the theme of nostalgia for origins, this work proposes to examine the origin of religion within the context of the theory of evolution and the development of the human brain. It is argued that Darwin's concept of natural selection gives the impression of making Homo sapiens passive recipients of the process of evolution. To overcome this false impression and conform to the spirit of Darwin's theory, this work proposes to supplement Darwin's theory by introducing a will to power into it that gives Homo sapiens agency to gain power and empower themselves to survive. This achievement of empowerment has important consequences because it gives Homo sapiens an opportunity to invent religion and supernatural beings by means of their intuitive experiences, performing like natural by-products of the operation of evolution. The human body and brain play essential roles in the process of evolution and development of religion, a form of power that binds humans to transcendent powers, empowers them, unites them into enduring social units, represents one of the elements of the beginning of human culture, and enhances their chances for survival. Because of its subject matter and approach, this work includes a critical appraisal of scholars using the results of cognitive science research. Because Homo sapiens invented supernatural beings and religion, it seems irresponsible for a contemporary individual to choose to become an atheist, an option that is explored in the final chapter about whether religion has a future.

By: Carl Olson
Imprint: Anthem Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 153mm, Spine: 13mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9781839990519
ISBN 10: 1839990511
Pages: 166
Publication Date: 11 June 2024
Audience: College/higher education , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Preface; 1. The Prestige of Origins; 2. Power and Empowerment; 3. The Origins of Life, Body, Brain, and Religious Experience; 4. Origins, Ritual, Agency, and Memory; 5. Is There a Future for Religion?; Notes; Index

Professor Carl Olson teaches at Allegheny College. Besides numerous essays in journals, books, and encyclopedias, he has published 20 books on subjects such as Hinduism, Buddhism, comparative philosophy, and method and theory in the study of religion.

Reviews for The Nostalgia for Origins: Religion, Evolution, Cognition and Memory

“In this engaging book, Carl Olson presents a view of religion in terms of evolution and power that needs to be read. While not everyone will agree with it, this book expresses its view with clarity and conviction.” —Gavin Flood, Oxford University, UK. “The book makes an original, very provocative and useful contribution to the study of religion. At the core, the author uses an evolutionary model of the origin of Homo sapiens and religion, a story in which religion makes its appearance as a human creation at the beginning of evolutionary human history. This argument has been supported by a wide range of areas of scholarship, covering anthropology, history, evolutionary theory, studies of bodies and brains and cognition.” —Dr. Will Braun, University of Alberta, Canada.