Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences - Unit 2: Belief Systems

About this course: Throughout history, the vast majority of people around the globe have believed they have, however defined, a “soul.” While the question of whether the soul exists cannot be answered by science, what we can study are the causes and consequences of various beliefs about the soul and its prospects of surviving the death of the body. Why are soul and afterlife beliefs so common in human history? Are there adaptive advantages to assuming souls exist? Are there brain structures that have been shaped by environmental pressures that provide the foundation of body/mind dualism that is such a prominent feature of many religions? How do these beliefs shape the worldviews of different cultures and our collective lives? What is the role of competing afterlife beliefs in religion, science, politics, and war? This course explores several facets of this relatively unexplored but profoundly important aspect of human thought and behavior. The course consists mainly of 70 to 80 minute lectures, typically broken up into 3 segments, recorded from a course offered by Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences. These videos include slides and some embedded video clips. Most lectures are accompanied by slides used during the lecture, also including recommended reading assignment which may provide additional opportunities to reflect on your studies. Due to the lengthiness of this class and natural progression, the online course has been separated into 3 units, this is Unit 2.

Created by:  Rutgers the State University of New Jersey

• Taught by:  Prof. Daniel M. Ogilvie, Professor of Psychology

  Psychology

• Taught by:  Prof. Leonard W. Hamilton, Professor of Psychology

  Department of Psychology

Commitment 3-5 hours/week Language English, Subtitles: Romanian How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.6 stars Average User Rating 4.6See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

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Syllabus


WEEK 1


Introduction to Unit 2



1 video, 2 readings expand

1. Reading: Welcome to the Course
2. Video: Introduction
3. Reading: Learner Support

WEEK 2


Thinking and Feeling



3 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Video: Thinking and Feeling Part A
2. Video: Thinking and Feeling Part B
3. Video: Thinking and Feeling Part C
4. Reading: Unpleasantness in Vermont

WEEK 3


Terror Management



3 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Video: Terror Management Part A
2. Video: Terror Management Part B
3. Video: Terror Management Part C
4. Reading: Tales from the Crypt: On the Role of Death in Life

Graded: Quiz - Lessons 2 & 3

WEEK 4


Internalized Beliefs I



3 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Video: Internalized Beliefs I Part A
2. Video: Internalized Beliefs I Part B
3. Video: Internalized Beliefs I Part C
4. Reading: The Anatomy of Internalized Beliefs
5. Reading: The Anatomy of Internalized Beliefs: Like a Rock (slides from presentation)

WEEK 5


Internalized Beliefs II: The Evolution of Senses of Self in Childhood



3 videos, 2 readings expand

1. Video: Internalized Beliefs II Part A
2. Video: Internalized Beliefs II Part B
3. Video: Internalized Beliefs II Part C
4. Reading: Mirror Neurons and Imitation Learning as the Driving Force Behind "the Great Leap Forward" in Human Evolution
5. Reading: Religion is natural

Graded: Quiz - Lessons 4 & 5
Graded: Core Beliefs

WEEK 6


After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied: What's the Evidence I



3 videos expand

1. Video: After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied I Part A
2. Video: After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied I Part B
3. Video: After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied I Part C

WEEK 7


After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied: What's the Evidence? II



3 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Video: After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied II Part A
2. Video: After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied II Part B
3. Video: After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied II Part C
4. Reading: Soul Searching

Graded: Quiz - Lessons 6 & 7

WEEK 8


Biological Perspectives on Beliefs



1 video expand

1. Video: Prelude to Second Half

WEEK 9


The Brain and Our Emotional Future



3 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Video: The Brain & Our Emotional Future Part A
2. Video: The Brain & Our Emotional Future Part B
3. Video: The Brain & Our Emotional Future Part C
4. Reading: Religion is natural

WEEK 10


The Biology of Thou Shalt Not



3 videos expand

1. Video: Biology of Thou Shalt Not (Part A)
2. Video: Biology of Thou Shalt Not (Part B)
3. Video: Biology of Thou Shalt Not (Part C)

Graded: Quiz - Lessons 9 & 10
Graded: Dualism: Bloom vs. Descartes

WEEK 11


The Undesired Self



3 videos, 1 reading expand

1. Video: The Undesired Self Part A
2. Video: The Undesired Self Part B
3. Video: The Undesired Self Part C
4. Reading: The Undesired Self: Deadly Connotations

General Course Pages



2 readings expand

1. Reading: Syllabus
2. Reading: Grading and Logistics