The Cognitive Neuroscience of Religious Experience
Decentering and the Self

An account of the neuroscience of religious experiences for those interested in scientific approaches to religion.

Patrick McNamara (Author)

9781108977890, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 June 2022

292 pages
22.8 x 15 x 1.5 cm, 0.43 kg

'McNamara's work provides a clear and up-to-date overview of existing literature on the neuroscience of religious experiences. Not only is this growing body of scientific literature carefully summarized, but the unusual nature of religious experiences are thoroughly considered via the most cutting-edge theoretical frameworks of human cognition, and are buttressed throughout with anthropological and evolutionary data. McNamara's work, importantly, does not detract from the mystery and complexity of religious experiences, but rather legitimizes them in the eyes of the sceptic by placing this unique form of human behaviour carefully within a nuanced naturalistic framework.' Daniel Miksha, The Journal of the School of Religious Studies

The Cognitive Neuroscience of Religious Experience, now updated and expanded in a new edition, updates key topics covered in the first edition including: decentering and self-transformation, supernatural agent cognitions, mystical states, religious language, ritualization, and religious group agency. It expands upon the first edition to include major findings on brain and religious experience over the past decade, focusing on methodology, future thinking, and psychedelics. It provides an up-to-date review of brain-based accounts of religious experiences, and systematically examines the rationale for utilizing neuroscience approaches to religion. While it is primarily intended for religious studies scholars, people interested in comparative religion, philosophy of religion, cultural evolution, and personal self-transformation will find an account of how such transformation is accomplished within religious contexts.

Acknowledgments
1. Introduction: assumptions and reasons
2. On decentering
3. On the self and the divided self
4. The cultural and evolutionary background to the neuroscience of religion
5. Neurology of religious experiences
6. Psychedelics and religious experiences
7. Mystical experiences
8. Religious experiences and transformative experiences
9. Supernatural agents and god concepts
10. Ritual
11. Religious language
12. Group effects and religion.

Subject Areas: Cognition & cognitive psychology [JMR], Physiological & neuro-psychology, biopsychology [JMM], Religion & science [HRAM3]