tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37941502572997388.post3314460897489161431..comments2023-11-03T03:35:37.777-07:00Comments on Meteuphoric: Why are religious societies more cohesive?Katja Gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10817039598064207796noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37941502572997388.post-69854090662026173532009-04-09T13:58:00.000-07:002009-04-09T13:58:00.000-07:00I'm inclined to interpret this research as chiefly...I'm inclined to interpret this research as chiefly showing that religious beliefs promote in-group solidarity. I suspect improved social cooperation is a secondary effect resulting from that strengthened group identity. (Hmm... how would one measure religiosity and strength of group identity independently?)<BR/><BR/>It's not clear why religious beliefs should be especially good at promoting social cooperation directly. However, it's no mystery why religious beliefs are good for promoting in-group solidarity: <EM>Anyone</EM> can believe things based on evidence, so epistemically sound beliefs are typically useless for creating an in-group / out-group distinction. To create a group identity around a set of beliefs you need to use bizarre, unfounded beliefs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com