Author: Bryan Lin
Editors: Flynn Ma, Kevin Yao
Artist: Chiara Chen
The role of Faith in shaping human cognition has long been a subject of debate. Some argue that Faith, specifically religious faith, provides a framework for understanding existence and human purpose more than rationality alone could. Others believe that faith represents a barrier to rational thought and scientific progress. In this article, we will examine both sides of this long-standing argument and an alternative belief in the coexistence of faith-based and reasoning-based thought.
While Faith can serve as a long-term source of human cognition, it is also imperative to recognize its limitations and the importance of having your own values. Faith is important to many because of its ability to offer explanations and guidance in areas where our actual knowledge falls short. Religion, for example, provides explanations and guidance that help believers understand how life began and the purpose of human existence. Faith can provide a lens through which individuals can interpret their experiences, allowing them to find meaning.
Beyond aiding believers on a spiritual level, studies also show that Faith can assist in preserving our cognitive functions. Harold G. Koenig, a Duke psychiatrist studying the effects of religion and spirituality on health, states that religious or spiritual involvement “can stimulate the higher cortical functions related to abstract thinking [which is what helps preserve our cognitive functions].” In addition, Terrance D. Hill, a professor in the Department of Sociology and Demography at the University of Texas, states that participation in religious and spiritual practices provides individuals with an enhanced sense of hope, meaning, and purpose. He believes that these elements can function as coping mechanisms, helping believers manage stress, anxiety, and depression. By lessening the strain on one's emotional and mental health, religious and spiritual involvement may help prevent atrophy of the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for cognitive function, thereby slowing cognitive decay.
On the other hand, critics assert that faith, particularly dogmatic (to follow a set of rules by all means) adherence to religious text such as the Bible or Qur'an, can impede rational thought and cognitive development. They argue faith often relies on unquestioned beliefs, discouraging critical examination and inquiry. Dr. Richard Dawkins, an evolutionary biologist and author of "The God Delusion," believes that "Faith is a process of non-thinking, of mere wish-thinking, and as such, it stands in the way of using our intelligence properly." Dawkins suggests that faith can create biases, prevent intellectual curiosity, and impede the pursuit of knowledge. A famous example of faith hindering the pursuit of knowledge would be the persecution of Galileo Galilei for his model of the solar system. The Church firmly believed that the Sun orbited the Earth, and Galileo’s challenge led to the removal of his book “Dialogues of Galileo Galilei” and banishment from the public under house arrest. Galileo’s persecution, among the many other scientists, astronomers, and chemists who had contradicted the church, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of blind and strict faith.
Despite the completely opposing perspectives, some scholars argue for the coexistence of spiritual and scientific or reason-based faith. Dr. Alvin Plantinga, a philosopher and professor at the University of Notre Dame, believes that "Belief in God is not necessarily irrational or contrary to reason, and it can be perfectly consistent with the use of our cognitive faculties." Those like Plantinga believe that you can believe in scientific and proven facts without discounting your religious beliefs. You do not necessarily need to discard your entire faith to believe in science, nor discard proven scientific research for your beliefs.
The debate over whether faith can serve as a long-term source of human cognition remains complex. While some view faith as a valuable resource that fosters meaning, purpose, and ethical grounding, others perceive it as an obstacle to rational thought and progress. Ultimately, the relationship between faith and cognition may be shaped by individual perspectives and the ability to reconcile different understandings of the world.
Citations:
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Hosseini, Shera, et al. “Effect of Religious Involvement on Cognition from a Life-Course
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