Agency, religion, and magic

Behavioral and Brain Sciences 27 (6):750-751 (2004)
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Abstract

Atran & Norenzayan (A&N) ask: “Why do agent concepts predominate in religion?” This question presupposes that we have a notion of religion that is (1) well enough defined, and (2) characterized independently of that of supernatural agents. I question these two presuppositions. I argue that “religion” is a family resemblance notion built around the idea of supernatural agency.

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10.1017/s0140525x04430179

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Dan Sperber
Institut Jean Nicod

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