I have heard atheists and hardcore evolutionists argue that one of the reasons humans are drawn to believe in a higher power is because it offers some form of evolutionary advantage. What do you think? What evolutionary advantages does it provide?
2007-11-13 02:34:12 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Survival
The only evolutionary advantage.
People believing that their life will not end at their death live happier lives and therefore are better workers, fathers, mothers, societal members etc. This may indeed allow them to survive better.
Its important to note that their believing in no way makes what they believe any more true or factual, it just helps them psychologically. This doesn't work for everyone however.
2007-11-13 02:38:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
By the odd word evolutionists, I assume you mean scientists. If that's the case, why not say Gravitationist? The same number of scientists who accept the observed fact that evolution occurred and occurs also accept the observed fact that gravity acts on masses.
It has been posited that that religion is a by-product of some other biological response, such as a desire to be parented.
I find that mature adults don't need leaders, and that morality is more genuine and virtuous if it is not policed and advanced under the threat of punishment.
Edit: To waeyeaw.... Evolution is not a theory. Evolution is an observed fact. EVOLUTIONARY THEORY is a theory.. it explains how the observed fact works, and makes predictions based on that fact, and provides the intellectual framework of evidence that supports those predictions.
2007-11-13 02:48:17 · answer #2 · answered by coralsnayk 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Same as the peacock's tail... the result of generations of selection. It's a supranormal manifestation of the behaviours and attitudes which make tribalism function. And a well-functioning group has been, historically, an distinct advantage in survival and reproduction. That civilization (at the basic level of "living in cities" and the behaviour that prompts and requires) and technology have changed so rapidly means that our instincts have not really caught up, and aspects of our tribal reflexes are now seriously dangerous to us. Evolution will take care of that in time, one way or the other. Self-awareness is still only an experiment, on the evolutionary timescale.
2016-04-03 22:42:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certainly Belief without questioning has an evolutionary advantage.
Children who do not believe their parents when they are told not to play with the pretty crocodile tend to get eaten.
Also the desire to follow strong leaders also has a survival advantage as it unites the tribe. The need to follow strong leaders leads people to make them up. This is likely why Spiderman and Superman are so popular.
2007-11-13 02:40:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Human beings have a large brain. Two consequences of a large brain are the ability to reason and curiosity. Man has always been curious about where the world came from and how it works, and to offer "God" as an explaination is at the very least a attempt to rationally explain/understand the world. Attempting to understand the world is simply a by-product of having a large brain. The ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND to a high degree is what is evolutionarly useful. A particular musing by itself may or may not have any value.
2007-11-13 02:46:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just so you know....there's no such thing as an "evolutionist". It's a made up word, doesn't really exist in science.
Anyway, I've seen some impressive research on this subject in the fields of Neurology and Biology, but there hasn't been enough data on anything to make any conclusions. I'll reserve judgement for now, but eagerly await some more studies.
2007-11-13 02:39:35 · answer #6 · answered by Skalite 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evolution is a theory. There is no advantage. Knowing God is knowing God and realizing that there is someone greater than yourself in this world.
This higher power is God let us just say that. Okay, atheists and evolutionists believe in something other than God and it is either themselves or a rock or a bird. What they have to remember is this - If they end up denying God then they themselves will be denied too. They won't go to heaven they will not be with God. It is a sad way to live - to live upon your own power and not experiencing the love that God has for you. That in itself is sad. But, everyone has a choice.
2007-11-13 02:45:38 · answer #7 · answered by waeyeaw 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Of course. The idea that there is an all seeing deity watching your every move to see if you should be punished when you die is a tried and tested way of stopping people from killing each other and a great way of promoting morals.
...at least it /WAS/ several centuries ago. Religion is used too much as a sword and shield these days to even consider it to have a positive effect.
2007-11-13 04:22:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm... It allows them to follow a belief without question, making them slaves to a religion. That means that in the future, we can use them as cannon fodder in the wars of the future, so its an advantage for those who don't believe in a God.
2007-11-13 02:38:34 · answer #9 · answered by MakayoKou 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prolly reduces the likelyhood of being struck by lightning, mebbe?
Actually a lot of old religious beliefs are rooted in health issues. Pork was avoided to not get worms. Veneral Disease from monogomy.
2007-11-13 02:41:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋