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17 MIN LEESTIJD

Why Belief Is So Powerful

—KENDRICK FRAZIER

FROM THE EDITOR

For scientists and scientific skeptics, the most powerful word is why. Why is nature like it is? Why do people behave they way they do? Wondering why initiates all inquiry and leads to all new knowledge. In the Skeptical Inquirer we have articles that investigate and articles that explain. Investigations may find new answers to mysteries. Explanatory articles help us understand why things are the way they are.

Psychologist James E. Alcock’s cover article in this issue, “The God Engine,” is an exemplary form of explanatory writing. The question he asks, and cogently answers, is: Why is religious belief so pervasive, so powerful, so important, so resistant to criticism? It’s a question all thoughtful people ponder, but to science-minded people and freethinkers it has occupied a big share of our time and energy.

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Skeptical Inquirer
Sept/Oct 2018
IN DE WINKEL BEKIJKEN

Andere artikelen in dit nummer


FEATURES
THE GOD ENGINE
Belief in the supernatural develops as a natural consequence of the way our brains work, so it should be no surprise that religion is both pervasive and enduring
From the Spectral to the Spectrum Radiation in the Crosshairs
Public attitudes about radiation, shaped by a rich history of mythology from biblical times to the modern events of Chernobyl and Fukushima, impact personal lives and decisions, but they also have global existential implications
Multi-Level Menace
Multi-level marketing companies use subtle influence techniques to capture and influence recruits—and you are at risk
I’ve Got Algorithm. Who Could Ask for Anything More?
The news has been filled with discussions of the so-called algorithms of Facebook and other software giants. Originally, the word algorithm had a precise meaning, but more recently it has been used to elicit undeserved respect—and perhaps to avoid deeper scrutiny
Biological Reasons Young-Earth Creationists’ Worldwide Flood Never Happened
Like the geological evidence, biological evidence demonstrates that a worldwide flood never happened 4,350 years ago, as young-Earth creationists believe
SPECIAL REPORTS
On the Set of Cosmos’s Season Two
A top a small hill south of Santa Fe, New
Ghostly ‘Black Monk’ or Random Tourist?
Several British tabloids and paranormal-themed websites reported that a ghostly
COMMENTARY
We Need a Paradigm Shift in Science Advocacy
Considering the Human Concerns of Trust and Tribe
NEWS AND COMMENT
Homeopathy Challenge: German Skeptics Offer 50,000 Euros If Test Is Passed
As most scientists and skeptics know, homeopathy is a sham
Some Good News on Climate: A Big Shift among TV Weathercasters
The U.S. Federal government under the current administration is purging
Crucifixion Evidence Debunks Turin ‘Shroud’
As if there were not already enough evidence debunking the
Small Town Virgin Mary ‘Miracle’: Olive Oil
On Sunday May 20, 2018, a statue of Mary allegedly
INVESTIGATIVE FILES
Outside the Box: Solving Diverse Mysteries
Joe Nickell, PhD, is CSI’s senior research fellow. He is
NOTES ON A STRANGE WORLD
A Telepathy Investigation
Massimo Polidoro is an investigator of the paranormal, lecturer, and
BEHAVIOR & BELIEF
Why Are Millennials Turning to Astrology?
Stuart Vyse is a psychologist and author of Believing in
REALITY IS THE BEST MEDICINE
The Care and Feeding of the Vagina
Harriet Hall, MD, also known as “The SkepDoc,” is a
SKEPTICAL INQUIREE
Caught Between the Possible and the Paranormal
Benjamin Radford is a research fellow at the Committee for
NEW AND NOTABLE
NEW AND NOTABLE
Listing does not preclude future review
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
While Steven Pinker is right in asserting that things are
THE LAST LAUGH
CRYPTOZOOLOGY 101: THE ACADEMICS HAVE A POINT, AND YET ONCE AGAIN THEY MISS A MUCH LARGER ONE
that have largely succeeded in ducking us for thousands of
Future Shock
REVIEWS
An Early ‘Monster’ with an Older History
In cryptozoological terms, the Jersey Devil doesn’t have the cachet
The Case That CAM Is Unethical
Edzard Ernst is arguably the world’s foremost expert on the
Climate Fundamentals: NOVA ’s ‘Decoding the Weather Machine’
NOVA, PBS, “Decoding the Weather Machine,” broadcast April 18, 2018,
This Is Your Brain on Social Media
The use of social media has risen dramatically in recent