Origins of Religion, Cognition and Culture

Attempts to understand the origins of humanity have raised fundamental questions about the complex relationship between cognition and culture. Central to the debates on origins is the role of religion, religious ritual and religious experience. What came first: individual religious (ecstatic) experiences, collective observances of transition situations, fear of death, ritual competence, magical coercion; mirror neurons or temporal lobe religiosity? Cognitive scientists are now providing us with important insights on phylogenetic and ontogenetic processes. Together with insights from the humanities and social sciences on the origins, development and maintenance of complex semiotic, social and cultural systems, a general picture of what is particularly human about humans could emerge. Reflections on the preconditions for symbolic and linguistic competence and practice are now within our grasp. __Origins of Religion, Cognition and Culture__ puts culture centre stage in the cognitive science of religion. What makes us human? This book examines the origins of human social and cultural systems, uncovering truths about human cognition and culture. Part I: Evolutionary Scenarios -- Part Ii: Cognitive Theories. Edited By Armin W. Geertz. Included Bibliographical References And Index.