Philosophical essay on invisible forces, social cognition, and spirituality

Invisible Forces and Unseen Powers: Gravity, Gods, and Minds Preface 1. Invisible Forces Operating on Human Bodies Gravity is an invisible force that holds us to the surface of the earth, and the fact that gravity is invisible does not place it beyond scientific scrutiny. Similarly, humans are a quintessentially social species whose need for social connection produces invisible forces on our brain, behavior, and biology that are subject to scientific investigation. Among these are forces that compel us to seek trusting and meaningful connections with others and to seek meaning and connection with something bigger than ourselves. The story of these invisible forces speaks to who we are as a species. From Selfish Genes to Social Brains 2. The Social Nature of Humankind The human brain has evolved under the guidance of selfish genes to produce more than a brain that is capable of powerful, isolated information processing operations. The human brain also evolved with inherent capacities for social cognition, compassion, empathy, bonding, coordination, cooperation, values, mortality and a need for social connection that extends beyond kin and even other mdividuals. From Inclusive Fitness to Spiritual Striving 3. Science, Religion, and a Revised Religious Humanism The dialogue between science and religion, if properly pursued, can usher in a new era of religious humanism in the leading world religions. Their central beliefs and practices largely would remain intact, but their views of nature and their concerns with health and well- being would be refined through their conversations with the sciences. How this model would work is discussed in terms of the relation between love and health in Christian theology — especially the tension between the agape, caritas, and eros models of Christian love. The Status of the Body Politic and the Status of the Body Itself 4. Health by Connection: From Social Brains to Resilient Bodies Most people feel socially connected most of the time. Felt connectedness is typically taken for granted, but the effects of its absence, as experienced in feelings of isolation, demonstrate that our evolutionary heritage as a social species has potent implications for health and well-being. From Relationships to People and Groups to Relationships with God 5. Psychosomatic Relations: From Superstition to Mortality It has long been recognized that mental states can impact health and well being, but the causal pathways have only recently begun to be understood. Thoughts, beliefs and attitudes can have powerful effects on physiological functions, health and disease. Examples range from superstitious beliefs associated with voodoo, bone pointing, or other black rituals to the more positive states associated with spirituality. The present essay considers these disparate psychological states and how they might translate into physiological effects having real health implications. The Mind and Body Are One 6. The Suspension of Individual Consciousness and the Dissolution of Self and Other Boundaries A special case of social interaction concerns two or more individuals engaging in temporally coordinated HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_021248