2025/03/31 by Sumudu Guruge
Psychology · #Afterlife Cognition #Anthropology #Attachment Theory #Biochemistry #Biocultural Evolution #Biological Psychology #Biophysics #Cognitive Neuroscience #Cognitive Psychology #Consciousness Studies #Cross-Cultural Psychology #Cultural Anthropology #Default Mode Network #Developmental Neuroscience #Emergent Properties #Evolutionary Psychology #Existential Psychology #FOS: Psychology #FOS: Sociology #Hard Problem of Consciousness #Hyperactive Agency Detection #Life Sciences #Limbic System #Mind-Body Problem #Multicultural Psychology #Neuroimaging #Neuroscience and Neurobiology #Neurotheology #Other Neuroscience and Neurobiology #Oxytocin & #Psychedelics and Consciousness #Psychology #Reductionism vs. Dualism #Secular Spirituality #Social Bonding #Social and Behavioral Sciences #Social and Cultural Anthropology #Soul Beliefs #Spiritual Experiences #Terror Management Theory #and Structural Biology #elf-Representation #fMRI &
paper · doi:10.17605/osf.io/ap28d
Title: "What Is Soul? Where does it exist? : A Neurobiological and Evolutionary Perspective" Project Description: This theoretical essay synthesizes neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and anthropology to argue that the "soul" is not a metaphysical entity but a cognitive illusion emerging from adaptive neurobiological processes. Drawing on cross-cultural evidence (from Abrahamic nephesh to Buddhist anatta), neuroimaging studies (DMN suppression, limbic activation during spiritual states), and evolutionary models (Terror Management Theory, hyperactive agency detection), the work proposes that soul beliefs are biocultural adaptations for coping with mortality, uncertainty, and social cohesion. Critically engaging with Chalmers’ "hard problem" of consciousness, it challenges dualistic soul concepts while explaining their persistent appeal. The analysis bridges gaps between religious studies, cognitive science, and behavioral biology, offering a falsifiable framework for future empirical research. Keywords: soul, consciousness, neurotheology, evolutionary psychology, Default Mode Network, cultural neuroscience