Mental Culture ― Classical Social Theory and the Cognitive Science of Religion

Why is the set of human beliefs and behaviours that we call "religion" such a widespread feature of all known human societies, past and present, and why are there so many forms of religiosity found throughout history and culture? "Mental Culture" brings together an international range of scholars - from Anthropology, History, Psychology, Philosophy, and Religious Studies - to answer these questions. Connecting classical theories and approaches with the newly established field of the Cognitive Science of Religion, the aim of "Mental Culture" is to provide scholars and students of religion with an overview of contemporary scientific approaches to religion while tracing their intellectual development to some of the great thinkers of the past.

William W. McCorkle, Jr is Director of Experimental Research at the Laboratory for Experimental Research of Religion and Associate Professor in the Department for the Study of Religions at Masaryk University, Czech Republic. Dimitris Xygalatas is Director of the Laboratory for the Experimental Research of Religion in Brno and holds a joint position between the Aarhus University, Denmark, and Masaryk University, Czech Republic. He is the author of The Burning Saints: Cognition and Culture in the Fire-walking Rituals of the Anastenaria (Acumen, 2012).