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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Evolution of Religious Beliefs

Multimedia ·
OSTI ID:1026346
Humans may be distinguished from all other animals in having beliefs about the causal interaction of physical objects. Causal beliefs are a developmental primitive in human children; animals, by contrast, have very few causal beliefs. The origin of human causal beliefs comes from the evolutionary advantage it gave in relation to complex tool making and use. Causal beliefs gave rise religion and mystical thinking as our ancestors wanted to know the causes of events that affected their lives.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
1026346
Country of Publication:
CERN
Language:
English

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