How punitive, omniscient gods may have encouraged the expansion of human society
Personally, I wonder if this is an example of cause being confused with effect - do people who value honesty and cooperation invent gods that like honesty and cooperation, or do people create gods that value honesty and cooperation, then become honest and cooperative as a result?
Looks like the former to me... But then, I am pretty sure that gods are invented.
Surely, many factors played a role. Agriculture, for instance, provided resources that could sustain greater numbers of people. However, over the past few years, evidence has been accumulating that religious beliefs and practices may have stimulated our willingness and ability to engage in fair, cooperative behavior with many random, anonymous people. This level of cooperation can be used to create larger social networks and societies; but it can also bring people together to engage in collective violence and conflict.
Looks like the former to me... But then, I am pretty sure that gods are invented.
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