"Paul C. Smith" wrote:
> I believe that there is a "extraordinarily strong
> motivation in most humans to develop false beliefs about such a
> [supernatural] realm". But
> I don't think that motivation is specific to this kind of belief, nor is it
> internal to the person (ala the sometimes purported need for religious
> belief). Instead, I suspect it's simply one manifestation of the motivation
> to belong to a group. Spirituality is a _very_ pervasive value in U.S.
> culture, and few people are likely to willingly marginalize themselves by
> rejecting paranormal beliefs in general.
Yes, exactly. But at the same time, it makes you wonder WHY beliefs in an unseen
world beyond the natural one ARE the conventional ones in all known cultures--the
beliefs that, when rejected, marginalize a person. There have been many discussions
of this (e.g., Paul Kurtz, 1991, _The transcendental temptation_, Prometheus Books).
Existential anxiety about death is obviously one potential source. Perhaps there are
also biological explanations (e.g., the so-called "God module"), and many, many other
possibilities. Whatever the reason(s), there seems to me to be a very strong
motivation in humans with regard to this particular set of beliefs that is more
fundamental than simply the need to belong to a group.
But I've been wrong before,
Jeff
--
Jeffry P. Ricker, Ph.D. Office Phone: (480) 423-6213
9000 E. Chaparral Rd. FAX Number: (480) 423-6298
Psychology Department [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626
"The truth is rare and never simple."
Oscar Wilde
"Instead of having 'answers' on a test, they should just call
them 'impressions'. And, if you got a different 'impression',
so what? Can't we all be brothers?"
Jack Handey
