The Neo-Darwinian Approach to the Study of Religion

A one-day discussion meeting

Chair: W. G. Runciman, University of Cambridge

Discussants: Eileen Barker, London School of Economics, Mary Douglas, University College London,
Wendy James, University of Oxford, Michael Lambek, London School of Economics

Friday, 28th April, 2006

British Academy, 10 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1

£20 (£10 concessions)

ABOUT THIS EVENT | PROGRAMME

Programme

9.30

Registration; tea and coffee

10.00

Introduction

10.15

Social bonding: a functional explanation for the origins of religion
Robin Dunbar, University of Liverpool

11.00

Discussion

11.30

Tea and coffee

11.50

Religious ritual as an evolutionary by-product
Pascal Boyer, Washington University at St Louis

12.30

Discussion

1.00

Lunch

2.00

Evolutionary psychology and the anthropology of religion
Harvey Whitehouse, Queens University, Belfast

2.40

Discussion

3.20

Tea and coffee

3.40

Belief versus practice: a model of the rapid spread of group-beneficial equilibria
Robert Boyd, University of California, Los Angeles

4.30

Discussion

5.00

Panel discussion

5.30

Drinks reception