Vancouver Sun: the world’s largest study on the evolution of religion and morality
“Why is a self-described “complete atheist” in charge of a $3-million research project into religion?
To find out how Edward Slingerland, a professor of Asian Studies at the University of B.C., came to be the primary investigator for the world’s largest study on the evolution of religion and morality, we need to go back a couple of decades.”
Douglas Todd, “Smart atheist heads $3-million grant into religion and morality,” Vancouver Sun, January 11th 2013.
The National Post: religion and civilization
““There is a view that religion is an ancient superstition that’s going to fall away,” said Edward Slingerland, a professor of Asian studies at the University of British Columbia and the lead of a massive Canadian project billed as world’s largest academic study of religion.
“If our theory is right it’s actually been the cornerstone to civilizations.””
“Research team looking to prove controversial theory that religion was the ‘cornerstone to civilizations’,” The National Post, December 21st 2012.
The University of British Columbia: cultural evolution of religion
““Holidays help us express and affirm our cultural values,” says Slingerland, who recently launched the world’s largest study on the evolution of religion with colleagues at UBC and SFU. “So as culture changes, whether through immigration or evolution of attitudes, our holidays will evolve as well.”
“That time spent strengthening bonds with family, friends and community, has real meaning for people and is important for social cohesion,” says Slingerland, who is a professor in UBC’s Dept. of Asian Studies and Canada Research Chair in Chinese Thought and Embodied Cognition.”
Basil Waugh, “From human sacrifice to Santa Claus: the cultural evolution of religious beliefs,” The University of British Columbia, December 5th 2012.
The Walrus: science-humanities integration
“INTO THIS DIVIDE steps Edward Slingerland, co-founder of the University of British Columbia’s new Centre for Human Evolution, Cognition, and Culture. Writers on evolution issues are usually scientists, but Slingerland is one of a newer generation—following in the footsteps of philosopher Daniel Dennett—whose training is in the humanities, but who have turned to science for answers no longer provided by their disciplines of origin. In What Science Offers the Humanities: Integrating Body and Culture, Slingerland proffers an olive branch, arguing that each side must reach out to the other to prevent the university from succumbing to overly hostile diversity.”
Mark Czarnecki, “The Other Darwin,” The Walrus, September 12th 2008.
New Scientist: new atheism
“WE’RE on the Pacific coast, miles from southern California’s still-raging wildfires, but talk of conflagration fills the air. Some of the best minds in science are gathered here at the seaside resort of La Jolla, together with some of the world’s most insistent non-believers, to take a fresh look at the existence or otherwise of God. And one thing is clear: the edifice of “new atheism” is burning.”
Michael Reilly, “Does God have a place in a rational world?” New Scientist, November 7th 2007.