The Cognitive Science of Religion

To summarize: the volume provides very interesting insights for somebody (like me) who is not a member of the scholarly tribe of CSR. As such, it keeps its word: it is a rich, multifaceted, and well-readable initiation into the methods, perspectives, and approaches constituting the CSR. * ESSSAT News & Reviews *
“This volume is so valuable because it doesn’t just present CSR theories, it lays out the supporting methodological and empirical basis and walks through the foundational studies upon which CSR is built. It is the way to introduce the field, to learn more about the field, and even to keep up with the field. Plus it is useful for helping students and researchers understand how a multi-disciplinary science works." * Laird Edman, Professor of Psychology, Northwestern College, USA *
“This wide-ranging compilation of essays provides an excellent introduction to the Cognitive Science of Religion, packed with contributions from scholars at the cutting edge of research in the field. This book is a must for all students coming to this new branch of science for the first time.” * Harvey Whitehouse, Director of the Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Oxford, UK *
“Slone and McCorkle have created a lifeline for students and faculty working in the cognitive science of religion. This is not only a stellar introduction to this emerging field of study but a showcase of the key empirical and experimental studies that everyone involved has been paying attention to. Both students and faculty will breathe a sigh of relief that this text is available.” * E. Thomas Lawson, Honorary Professor at the Institute of Cognition and Culture, Queen's University Belfast, UK *
“The cognitive and evolutionary study of religion aims at producing empirically testable theories of religious phenomena. Finally, there is a textbook that reflects this aim! The Cognitive Science of Religion showcases both classical and cutting-edge experiments in the field. Given its accessibility to students and non-academic audiences, it is an invaluable resource for everyone interested in religion and cognition. I will definitely use it in my own teaching.” * Aku Visala, Research Fellow of the Finnish Academy of Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland *