Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Prof. Daniel Wolne explains historical theories of religion with special focus on Sigmund Freud's speculation that religious belief arises from a projection of a father figure onto the universe. We then dive into contemporary theories arising from the cognitive science of religion: theory of mind, hyperactive agency detection devices, and social function theories.
This interview is also available as a podcast: open.substack.com/pub/mileskdonahue/p/70-why-humans-believe-in-god-daniel?r=1pf1v9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Check out my Substack where you can get a paid membership because you're awesome: mileskdonahue.substack.com
To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating via Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue).
Follow me on X: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:51 Explanation vs. theory of religion
00:07:26 Methodological naturalism
00:16:48 What is "religion"?
00:27:44 Sigmund Freud - Is religion just projection of a father figure?
00:39:42 What about non-theistic religions?
00:42:09 Is religion the response to fear of death?
00:45:22 Cognitive science of religion
00:50:52 Hyperactive Agency Detection Device (HADD)
01:06:06 What is religion's social function?
01:11:56 Does cognitive science undermine religious belief?
Prof. Daniel Wolne explains historical theories of religion with special focus on Sigmund Freud's speculation that religious belief arises from a projection of a father figure onto the universe. We then dive into contemporary theories arising from the cognitive science of religion: theory of mind, hyperactive agency detection devices, and social function theories.
This interview is also available as a podcast: open.substack.com/pub/mileskdonahue/p/70-why-humans-believe-in-god-daniel?r=1pf1v9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Check out my Substack where you can get a paid membership because you're awesome: mileskdonahue.substack.com
To support the channel, do please oh please consider donating via Buy Me a Coffee (buymeacoffee.com/mileskdonahue).
Follow me on X: twitter.com/PhilosopherMKD
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:51 Explanation vs. theory of religion
00:07:26 Methodological naturalism
00:16:48 What is "religion"?
00:27:44 Sigmund Freud - Is religion just projection of a father figure?
00:39:42 What about non-theistic religions?
00:42:09 Is religion the response to fear of death?
00:45:22 Cognitive science of religion
00:50:52 Hyperactive Agency Detection Device (HADD)
01:06:06 What is religion's social function?
01:11:56 Does cognitive science undermine religious belief?
