The New Sciences of Religion : Exploring Spirituality From the Outside In and Bottom Up

The New Sciences of Religion is a critical analysis of new scientific research on religious and spiritual phenomena. William Grassie takes a two-staged phenomenological approach working from the "outside in" and the "bottom up" without privileging at the outset any religious traditions or philosophical assumptions. Using insights from economics, evolutionary psychology, the neurosciences, and medicine, Grassie develops a complex and multifaceted understanding of religion as potentially functional and dysfunctional in specific contexts, differentially so for individuals and groups. The New Sciences of Religion then asks what in religion and spirituality might also be true and profound when our received traditions are reinterpreted in light of contemporary sciences. In contrast to the New Atheists, Grassie argues for a concept of God-by-whatever-name that is fully compatible with contemporary science and the reinterpretation of traditional religions. In the end, there is no grand unified theory of religion and none of the many scientific explanations of religion preclude that religions have intuited, experienced, and discovered true and profound insights into the nature of ultimate reality and human existence. This is an original and compelling scientific interpretation of religion and also a religious interpretation of science that will challenge and delight students and scholars alike. --- Product Description The New Sciences of Religion is a critical analysis of new scientific research on religious and spiritual phenomena. William Grassie takes a two-staged phenomenological approach working from the "outside in" and the "bottom up" without privileging at the outset any religious traditions or philosophical assumptions. Using insights from economics, evolutionary psychology, the neurosciences, and medicine, Grassie develops a complex and multifaceted understanding of religion as potentially functional and dysfunctional in specific contexts, differentially so for individuals and groups. The New Sciences of Religion then asks what in religion and spirituality might also be true and profound when our received traditions are reinterpreted in light of contemporary sciences. In contrast to the New Atheists, Grassie argues for a concept of God-by-whatever-name that is fully compatible with contemporary science and the reinterpretation of traditional religions. In the end, there is no grand unified theory of religion and none of the many scientific explanations of religion preclude that religions have intuited, experienced, and discovered true and profound insights into the nature of ultimate reality and human existence. This is an original and compelling scientific interpretation of religion and also a religious interpretation of science that will challenge and delight students and scholars alike. -- Back cover Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 8 Permissions......Page 12 Introduction......Page 14 Part 1: Religion from the Outside In......Page 28 One: The Challenge of Comparative Religion......Page 30 Two: The Old Sciences of Religion......Page 44 Three: The Economics of Religion......Page 62 Four: The Evolution of Religion......Page 86 Five: The Neurosciences of Religion......Page 106 Six: The Medicine of Religion......Page 124 Part 2: Religion from the Bottom Up......Page 144 Seven: The Narratives of Religion......Page 146 Eight: The New Religion of Science......Page 172 Nine: God-by-Whatever-Name......Page 200 Ten: Reiterations and Reflections......Page 224 Notes......Page 234 Bibliography......Page 250 Index......Page 262 Performing A Critical Analysis Of New Scientific Research On Religious And Spiritual Phenomena, Grassie Takes A Two-staged Phenomenological Approach Working From The 'outside In' And The 'bottom Up' Without Privileging At The Outset Any Religious Traditions Or Philosophical Assumptions. The Challenge Of Comparative Religion -- The Old Sciences Of Religion -- The Economics Of Religion -- The Evolution Of Religion -- The Neurosciences Of Religion -- The Medicine Of Religion -- The Narratives Of Religion -- The New Religion Of Science -- God-by-whatever-name -- Reiterations And Reflections. William Grassie. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.