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Mitchell Diamond
Mitchell Diamond

319 Followers

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Published in

A Philosopher’s Stone

·Pinned

Religion’s Primary Function Is to Blunt the Double-Edge Sword of the Conscious Mind

Religious ritual mitigates the downsides of human consciousness. — Philosophers, historians and scientists have long debated the reason why humans have religion. Cognitive science of religion (CSR) academics grind out hundreds of articles in the scientific journals rehashing the same arguments over and over as if repeating the same ideas will somehow make them true. Is religion a byproduct…

Religion

10 min read

Religion’s Primary  Function Is to Blunt the Double-Edge Sword of the Conscious Mind
Religion’s Primary  Function Is to Blunt the Double-Edge Sword of the Conscious Mind
Religion

10 min read


Dec 15, 2022

Answering the cosmic questions is not the reason for the origin of religion, if you embrace Darwinian evolution

Asking what happens to us after we die and our purpose in life is a secondary function of religion, not its original purpose. — A common explanation for the origin and purpose of religion is that it provides answers to people’s questions and concerns. What is our purpose in life? Why do we die, and what happens to us after we do? How was fire stolen from the gods and given to humans? …

Religion

8 min read

Answering the cosmic questions is not the reason for the origin of religion, if you embrace…
Answering the cosmic questions is not the reason for the origin of religion, if you embrace…
Religion

8 min read


Published in

A Philosopher’s Stone

·Oct 22, 2022

My interview with drunk Evolution #2

Where she talks about some planet-level environmental effects on evolution, then does a deep dive into human evolution, especially the brain. — In the first installment of my interview with drunk Evolution, she and I talked about her role in the development of life forms on Earth. She swung between admiration for her work, and then denied responsibility for it. She said that she just rolled the genetic dice but didn’t control…

Evolution

11 min read

My interview with drunk Evolution #2
My interview with drunk Evolution #2
Evolution

11 min read


Published in

A Philosopher’s Stone

·Aug 19, 2022

My Interview with Drunk Evolution

I arranged for an interview with Evolution to get some background from the source, but when I showed up, she was drunk. I didn’t expect that. — MD: Are you drunk? Evolution: Hey, I’m fucking Evolution. I’ll get fucked up if I want to. Want a tipple? MD: No thanks. Are you trying to emulate the TV show, Drunk History? Evolution: Sure, if you want. It’s great stuff, quality entertainment. But no, think platypus. I came up…

Evolution

7 min read

My Interview with Drunk Evolution
My Interview with Drunk Evolution
Evolution

7 min read


Published in

A Philosopher’s Stone

·Jul 21, 2022

Is the Creation story of Genesis fact or metaphor?

And if it’s metaphor, does that make it true? — In his Medium article, Is the Genesis Creation myth credible in any way?, David Gamble makes the case that the Book of Genesis has no scientific credibility. That’s like shooting fish in a barrel. …

Metaphor

7 min read

Is the Creation story of Genesis fact or metaphor?
Is the Creation story of Genesis fact or metaphor?
Metaphor

7 min read


Published in

A Philosopher’s Stone

·Jul 7, 2022

How Did Humans Acquire Language?

Depends how you define language, and if you think humans were the first animals to have it. — In her Medium article What Was Important Enough For Language to Form?, Katrina Paulson asks why humans developed complex language? …

Language

7 min read

How Did Humans Acquire Language?
How Did Humans Acquire Language?
Language

7 min read


Published in

A Philosopher’s Stone

·Jan 6, 2022

Why Certainty of Belief Improves Health

Not all beliefs are religious, so what is it about belief that impacts health outcomes? In my last two articles I described how religious rituals and certainty of belief are the specific aspects, sometimes derived from religion, that result in better health and well-being. …

Placebo Effect

7 min read

Why Certainty of Belief Improves Health
Why Certainty of Belief Improves Health
Placebo Effect

7 min read


Published in

A Philosopher’s Stone

·Nov 14, 2021

Religious Rituals Promote Health

But is it the religious part, the ritual part or something else? — In my series on the relationship between religion and health, I explored which aspects of religion are responsible for its possible health benefits. Recent studies have found that religion, per se, isn’t the feature that promotes health. Rather, it’s strength or certainty of beliefs, which transcends religion since people have…

Religion

9 min read

Religious Rituals Promote Health
Religious Rituals Promote Health
Religion

9 min read


Published in

A Philosopher’s Stone

·Sep 3, 2021

It’s Not Religion That Promotes Health. It’s Certainty of Beliefs.

Placebo effect is one reason beliefs, religious and otherwise, improve health. — For several decades studies have purportedly shown that religiousness enhances health. The studies that purport this have various methodological shortcomings, one of which is that there are so many ways to define and describe religion that it’s extremely difficult to say what characteristics of religion, if any, contribute to possible…

Placebo Effect

7 min read

It’s Not Religion That Promotes Health. It’s Certainty of Beliefs.
It’s Not Religion That Promotes Health. It’s Certainty of Beliefs.
Placebo Effect

7 min read


Published in

A Philosopher’s Stone

·Jun 24, 2021

Are Religious People Healthier Than Non-Religious People?

Is non-religiosity a health liability? Not so fast. — A slew of academic research in recent decades posits that adherence to religion is good for your health. Various studies have concluded that religious people are healthier on average and that religion is a coping mechanism for dealing with physiological and psychological conditions. …

Religion

9 min read

Are Religious People Healthier Than Non-Religious People?
Are Religious People Healthier Than Non-Religious People?
Religion

9 min read

Mitchell Diamond

Mitchell Diamond

319 Followers

Author of Darwin’s Apple: The Evolutionary Biology of Religion, a new take on the function and purpose of religion. http://www.darwinsapple.com

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