PHIL 101 EXAM REVISION QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS!!
Why are Dennett's and Wilson's theories both needed to explain the evolution of religious
beliefs, according to EB?
Wilson's theory is that religion is a glue, holding groups of people together, no matter what kind,
and it is also a lubricant, helping to keep friction between group members low.
Dennett's theory is that we see faces in everything so much that we overrecognize them. We
recognize agents, which is any intelligence that has knowledge and goals and acts on them.
Dennett's theory shows why we naturally gravitate toward supernatural explanations and
Wilson's theory explains why we have religions not just ordinary groups. Together they show
why we bond with the agents we think of.
A significant aspect of human religions is that they are a huge coincidence
Why do we over-recognize agents?
We are hardwired to overrecognize them for the survival value. If we overrecognize them, we
guarantee recognizing the ones we need.
What happens if you run Skinner's pigeon experiment on college students?
The same thing happens- it is operant conditioning
What are the 5 psychological foundations Haidt found that ground morality for many
people?
Harm
Fairness
CORRECT ANSWERS!!
Why are Dennett's and Wilson's theories both needed to explain the evolution of religious
beliefs, according to EB?
Wilson's theory is that religion is a glue, holding groups of people together, no matter what kind,
and it is also a lubricant, helping to keep friction between group members low.
Dennett's theory is that we see faces in everything so much that we overrecognize them. We
recognize agents, which is any intelligence that has knowledge and goals and acts on them.
Dennett's theory shows why we naturally gravitate toward supernatural explanations and
Wilson's theory explains why we have religions not just ordinary groups. Together they show
why we bond with the agents we think of.
A significant aspect of human religions is that they are a huge coincidence
Why do we over-recognize agents?
We are hardwired to overrecognize them for the survival value. If we overrecognize them, we
guarantee recognizing the ones we need.
What happens if you run Skinner's pigeon experiment on college students?
The same thing happens- it is operant conditioning
What are the 5 psychological foundations Haidt found that ground morality for many
people?
Harm
Fairness
