Document Type : Original Article

Author

• Ahmad Ebadi

Associate professor of philosophy, University of Isfahan

Abstract

The cognitive science of religion (CSR) seeks to find causal explanations for the origin, dissemination and transmission of theistic beliefs. One of the beliefs related to the field of religion is counterintuitive concepts: ideas and concepts that violate the automatic and non-reflective expectations of our mental tools. According to the researchers of CSR, counterintuitive concepts, if they are used in their minimal sense and do not weaken the conceptual coherence, cause the permanence and transmission of religious beliefs in comparison with other beliefs. Therefore, counterintuitiveness plays an important role in understanding religion. Despite the positive points of counterintuitive concepts, we believe that these concepts have ambiguities and problems that, if not properly explained and corrected, will cause problems in the acceptance and fixation of theistic beliefs: First, meta-representation's inability to solve the problem of distinguishing between counterintuitive religious beliefs and other counterintuitive concepts. Second, ambiguity in the explanatory role of counterintuitive concepts. Third, emphasis on cognitive architecture and not paying attention to the role of upbringing and culture in identifying counterintuitive concepts. Fourth, the inconsistency in the analysis of some counterintuitive concepts such as God with the official doctrine of religions. Fifth, not paying attention to conscious intuitions. Sixth, it seems that with the naturalization of beliefs in the cognitive system, human agents will take the place of supernatural agents, but the statistics show something else.

Keywords

• Cognitive Science of Religion
• Cognitive Tools
• Reflective Beliefs
• Unconscious Intuitions
• Methodology of Religious Studies

Main Subjects

• Philosophy of Religion