Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences Unit 2: Belief Systems
Beliefs about the soul are shaped by brain chemistry and social learning. They fulfill deep human needs for meaning and shape ethical choices. Evidence?
Beliefs about the soul are shaped by brain chemistry and social learning. They fulfill deep human needs for meaning and shape ethical choices. Evidence?
This course, the second unit of a three-part series, delves into the psychological and biological foundations of soul beliefs and their profound impact on human thought and behavior. Led by professors from Rutgers University, the course examines why soul and afterlife beliefs are so prevalent in human history and their adaptive advantages. Students will explore the brain structures that contribute to body/mind dualism, a key feature in many religions. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including terror management theory, internalized beliefs, evidence for afterlife experiences, and the biological basis of moral beliefs. Through a combination of lectures, readings, and interactive assignments, learners will gain a deep understanding of how soul beliefs shape cultural worldviews and influence global issues in religion, science, politics, and conflict.
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What you'll learn
Understand the psychological mechanisms behind soul and afterlife beliefs
Explore terror management theory and its relation to belief systems
Analyze the development and impact of internalized beliefs
Examine scientific evidence related to out-of-body and near-death experiences
Investigate the biological basis of moral and religious beliefs
Understand the role of brain structures in shaping dualistic thinking
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
9.8 Hours PreRecorded video
4 quizzes,2 peer reviews
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There are 12 modules in this course
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the causes and consequences of soul beliefs from psychological, biological, and cultural perspectives. It covers a wide range of topics, including the cognitive processes behind belief formation, terror management theory, the development of self-concept in childhood, evidence for afterlife experiences, and the biological basis of moral beliefs. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a multifaceted understanding of how soul beliefs shape individual worldviews and collective human behavior. Through a series of engaging lectures, supplementary readings, and interactive assignments, learners will critically examine the role of soul beliefs in religion, science, politics, and societal conflicts. The course encourages students to apply scientific reasoning to understand deeply held beliefs and their impacts on personal and societal levels.
Introduction to Unit 2
Module 1 · 38 Minutes to complete
Thinking and Feeling
Module 2 · 1 Hours to complete
Terror Management
Module 3 · 1 Hours to complete
Internalized Beliefs I
Module 4 · 1 Hours to complete
Internalized Beliefs II: The Evolution of Senses of Self in Childhood
Module 5 · 2 Hours to complete
After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied: What's the Evidence I
Module 6 · 1 Hours to complete
After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied: What's the Evidence? II
Module 7 · 1 Hours to complete
Biological Perspectives on Beliefs
Module 8 · 13 Minutes to complete
The Brain and Our Emotional Future
Module 9 · 1 Hours to complete
The Biology of Thou Shalt Not
Module 10 · 2 Hours to complete
The Undesired Self
Module 11 · 1 Hours to complete
General Course Pages
Module 12 · 20 Minutes to complete
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Instructors
Professor of Psychology, Rutgers University
Prof. Leonard W. Hamilton has been a distinguished member of the psychology faculty at Rutgers University for over 45 years. His early research centered on laboratory investigations into the neurochemical, developmental, and neuroanatomical correlates of inhibitory behaviors in rats. Over time, his focus shifted toward undergraduate education, where he developed courses exploring the broader origins of behavior. One of his hallmark courses, Soul Beliefs, integrates diverse areas of behavioral science to examine the biological foundations of belief systems and the historical impact of scientific discovery on worldviews.
Professor of Psychology, Rutgers University
Prof. Daniel M. Ogilvie has been a dedicated member of the psychology faculty at Rutgers University for over 45 years, specializing in personality and social psychology. As he nears the end of his distinguished teaching career, his focus has shifted toward unraveling the intriguing subject of soul and afterlife beliefs. In collaboration with his colleague, brain scientist Leonard Hamilton, Prof. Ogilvie has pioneered a new field of inquiry that bridges psychology, history, philosophy, brain evolution, child and cognitive development, anthropology, religion, and mythology. His work opens up deep interdisciplinary exploration into the nature of belief systems.
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4.6 course rating
171 ratings
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