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The Cognitive Neuroscience of Religion, Sleep, and Dreams - Patrick McNamara, PhD
What is the origin of religious belief, and how does the human brain mediate spiritual experiences? In this episode, Andrew Heacock sits down with neuroscientist Dr. Patrick McNamara to explore the profound connections between neuroscience, psychology, and religion.
Dr. McNamara explains his influential "decentering" model, describing religious experience as a transformative cognitive process where the "old self" is downregulated to allow a "new self" to emerge. They also discuss the evolutionary roots of religion, ranging from Neanderthal burial practices and animal veneration to the role of…
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