
Contents
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Introduction Introduction
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Theoretical Groundwork Theoretical Groundwork
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Morality has typically concerned subsuming self-interest to group-interest Morality has typically concerned subsuming self-interest to group-interest
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Cultural evolution has favored cultures whose members espouse group-interested morality Cultural evolution has favored cultures whose members espouse group-interested morality
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Reviewing the Evidence Reviewing the Evidence
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Prosociality Prosociality
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Prosocial Behavior Prosocial Behavior
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Trust Trust
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Parochiality and Prejudice Parochiality and Prejudice
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Conflict Conflict
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Family Values Family Values
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Religious and Nonreligious Moralities Religious and Nonreligious Moralities
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Differences in Moral Foundations Differences in Moral Foundations
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Differences in Meta-Ethics Differences in Meta-Ethics
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Concluding Remarks Concluding Remarks
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References References
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16 The Evolution of Religion and Morality
Get accessAzim F. Shariff, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Brett Mercier, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, USA
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Published:02 November 2016
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Abstract
Modern world religions are steeped in moralizing. This chapter argues that this conspicuous feature of religion can be explained by the common functions of both religion and morality to regulate individuals’ behavior in the ultimate service of the group. Cultural evolution selected for religious elements that synergistically work together to morally compel individuals to (1) engage in prosocial behavior toward in-group members, and (2) form large and monogamous families. The chapter reviews the psychological and anthropological literature on how religion contributes to generosity, trust, prejudice, fertility, and monogamy. Finally, it discusses how this religiously entwined morality differs from that of the nonreligious.
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