Spandrel or Fitrah? An Essay on the Relationship between Cognitive Science of Religion and Fitrah

Contents

1. THE SOURCE AND EPISTEMIC VALUE OF RELIGION

2. COGNITIVE SCIENCE OF RELIGION (CSR) AND COMMONSENSE PRINCIPLES

2. 1. Cognitive Science of Religion (CSR) and its Philosophical Background

2. 2. Commonsense Principles

2. 3. Evaluation

3. COGNITIVE SCIENCE OF RELIGION (CSR) STUDIES AND THEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATIONS

3. 1. Moral axioms as a necessary principle of commonsense

3. 2. Dualistic Assumptions of Existence as a Principle of Necessary Commonsense

3. 3. Design as a Mandatory Principle of Commonsense

Research Objectives and Themes

This study explores the relationship between the Cognitive Science of Religion (CSR) and the Islamic concept of "fitrah" by utilizing Thomas Reid's epistemological principles of commonsense. The primary objective is to demonstrate that empirical data from CSR—which often views religious belief as a "spandrel" or accidental evolutionary byproduct—can be reinterpreted through a theistic paradigm, arguing instead that these innate faculties reflect a predisposition to believe in a Creator and moral truths.

• The intersection of Cognitive Science of Religion and theological interpretations.
• Thomas Reid’s commonsense principles as a foundation for epistemology.
• Empirical analysis of moral axioms and dualism in infant studies.
• The critique of naturalistic reductionism in evolutionary psychology.
• Reinterpreting "spandrel" manifestations as evidence of a divinely endowed "fitrah."

Extract from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. THE SOURCE AND EPISTEMIC VALUE OF RELIGION: Analysis of the historical ubiquity of religion and the shift from metaphysical to naturalistic functionalist interpretations in the post-Enlightenment era.

2. COGNITIVE SCIENCE OF RELIGION (CSR) AND COMMONSENSE PRINCIPLES: Introduction to CSR foundations and Thomas Reid's philosophical framework, establishing the basis for reinterpreting cognitive faculties.

3. COGNITIVE SCIENCE OF RELIGION (CSR) STUDIES AND THEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATIONS: Review of experimental infant studies regarding morality, dualism, and design, correlating them with the concept of fitrah and Reid’s commonsense axioms.

Keywords

Philosophy of Religion, Evolution, Cognitive Science of Religion, Spandrel, Fitrah, Thomas Reid, Commonsense Principles, Foundationalism, Naturalism, Intuitive Theism, Moral Axioms, Theory of Mind, HADD, Teleological Thinking, Creationism

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this study?

This study examines the compatibility between the Cognitive Science of Religion (CSR) and the Islamic concept of "fitrah" (innate disposition to believe), using the philosophy of Thomas Reid as a bridge.

What are the main thematic fields covered?

The work spans philosophy of religion, evolutionary psychology, cognitive science, and theology, specifically focusing on how our mental faculties process belief.

What is the central research question?

The study asks whether the data from the Cognitive Science of Religion, which suggests religious belief is an evolutionarily determined "spandrel," can validly support a theistic interpretation of human nature.

Which scientific method is primarily employed?

The author uses a philosophical analytical approach, evaluating experimental data from developmental and cognitive psychology through the lens of foundationalist epistemology.

What topics are addressed in the main body?

The chapters detail the history of naturalistic explanations of religion, the principles of Thomas Reid’s commonsense philosophy, and specific experimental studies on children’s innate moral and teleological reasoning.

How would you characterize the core keywords?

The keywords highlight the interdisciplinary nature of the book, contrasting naturalistic concepts like "spandrel" with theological and epistemological concepts like "fitrah," "fundamental beliefs," and "intuitive theism."

How does the author view the "spandrel" concept?

The author critiques the naturalistic view of religion as merely an accidental "spandrel," arguing instead that the mechanisms identified by scientists can be interpreted as innate "fitrah" given by God for human survival and moral orientation.

What is the role of Thomas Reid in the argument?

Thomas Reid provides the epistemological justification for trusting our innate cognitive faculties ("commonsense principles") rather than demanding empirical evidence for every belief, which allows the author to defend the rationality of religious belief.