Cognitive and Cultural Evolutionary Perspectives on the Biblical World

Programme

Cultural evolutionary theory is a fast-growing, highly multidisciplinary scholarly endeavor which combines evolutionary biology, anthropology, psychology, sociology, cognitive science, semiotics, and computer science to explain how culture changes in populations with time. The cognitive basis and evolutionary function of religion has long been a topic of interest among cultural evolutionists and formed into a project of cognitive and evolutionary science of religion (CESR). On the other hand, religions consist of cultural expressions, which tend to follow common patterns of change. Evolutionary approaches have gained acceptance because of their cogent theory and applicability to different areas of human culture, such as language, technology, complex societies, and semiotic shifts. Methodologically, the cultural evolutionary perspective tends towards pluralism. On the one hand, there is an interest towards empirical experimental research, on the other hand, the use of semiotics and computer modelling and digital technologies are increasing, especially among researchers with a primary focus on historiography and the analysis of textual sources. Overall, CESR aims to bridge the methodological gap between the natural sciences and the humanities.

The unit proposes to be a wide platform where scholars who are interested in applications of CESR and cultural evolution to the biblical world and literature, and want to test and present their ideas to interested colleagues. The unit invites quantitative and computational modeling as well as qualitative case studies.

Keywords:

Chairs

Ronit Nikolsky

Sofia 2024 Call for Papers

For the first meeting in the new format of our research unit, Cognitive and cultural evolutionary perspectives on the biblical world invites research that describes and assesses methodological, theoretical, and technological aspects of the evolutionary and cognitive study of the Biblical world.

For example, how can the new technological approaches expand and enhance biblical research; which theoretical frameworks can serve biblical scholars; what are the epistemological foundation of new theories of religion, such as the ones by Dan Sperber, Pascal Boyer, Merlin Donald, Armin Geertz, Edward Slingerland, Edward O. Wilson, David Sloan Wilson? What is the place of cognitive studies, the study of emotions, body and cognition approaches in the study of ancient religions?

We will also have an open session for scholars to present research that does not fall under this year’s theme. Young or established scholars are welcome to propose a paper of their project or individual research.