The Believing Brain - Evolution, Neuroscience, and the Spiritual Instinct

Explore the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, evolution, and spirituality in this thought-provoking panel discussion from the World Science Festival. Delve into the origins of religious beliefs, examining whether humans are inherently wired for faith and if other animals possess a sense of spirituality. Learn about evolutionary psychology and its insights into the persistence of religion throughout human history. Discover the potential adaptive values and neurological advantages of religious beliefs, and contemplate the future role of religion in society. Join moderator Brian Greene and a panel of distinguished neuroscientists, anthropologists, and evolutionary biologists as they tackle profound questions about the nature of belief, its impact on the human brain, and its place in our evolutionary journey. Gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between science and spirituality, and consider how extraterrestrial beings might perceive our religious practices.

- Introduction
- Overview of religious beliefs
- Panelist intros
- Panelists share personal religious beliefs
- Broadening our views of belief
- Do other animals have a sense of spirituality?
- What is evolutionary psychology?
- Are humans wired for belief?
- Is there evidence of an internal predilection of religious belief?
- Searching for the origin of religious belief
- Is there an adaptive value of religious belief?
- Advantages of religious belief relating to the nervous system
- Why has religion persisted for so long?
- Religion as an emotional response vs a social mechanism
- The future of the role of religion
- What would aliens think of our religious beliefs?