Philosophical Foundations of the Cognitive Science of Religion

By showing what kind of explanations CSR provides, McCauley and Lawson can be of help for philosophical discussions on CSR. * Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture *
…a valuable and distinctive volume. Veterans and novices to CSR—especially those in religious studies—will all benefit from studying it. * Reading Religion *
This collection of influential essays in the cognitive science of religion builds a compelling case for explanatory pluralism, advocating science (to redress an imbalance in religious studies) but not scientism, methodological eclecticism not exclusivism, and (at times) reductionism but not eliminativism. McCauley writes with characteristic clarity, pace, balance, and passion. This book should be obligatory reading not only for religion scholars but for everyone in the humanities and social sciences. * Harvey Whitehouse, Director of the Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Oxford, UK *
From the nestors of the cognitive science of religion (CSR), their long-awaited methodological and philosophical reflections on the foundations of CSR. They represent and embody the admirable multidisciplinary competence so necessary in analyzing religion. In the face of disciplinary snubs from conservative circles, McCauley and Lawson have forged their own path with zeal, good humor and philosophical savvy. This collection of essays is fitting witness to their visions of a new science. * Armin W. Geertz, Professor of the History of Religions, Aarhus University, Denmark *
Robert McCauley has long been known for pioneering work in the philosophical foundations of the discipline, and the reprinted papers in this paperback edition bear witness to that. * Theology *