Episode Details

In addition to enhancing hominid survival and reproduction, this software equipped us to become aware of and look for the Transcendent.

Once again we’re asking the question: “why do we have this cognitive machinery in our head that predisposes humans to having spiritual experiences and religion-making?” But this time we talked to a scholar on the subject.

We could have talked to a neurobiologist or psychologist (in addition to the handful we’ve already heard from; #43, #44, #45, #78, #152) … a paleontologist (we’ve had a couple of those as well; #77 and #72) … or a literary scholar who reads ancient texts and clay tablets.  But we chose to talk to a philosopher/theologian.  You see, scientists study the physical, but in the process of being reductive, often include a metaphysical claim that there is no ultimate reality beyond the physical world.  But that’s a metaphysical claim, not something that can be tested in the physical realm, so they can’t / shouldn’t be making that claim.  Philosophers/theologians, on the other hand, take a step back and look at the big picture, and are free to openly and honestly make the metaphysical assumption that there is a God (or not) when trying to make sense of the data.  Both groups can learn much from each other.

Our guest, Dr. Chris Barrigar, with a PhD in Philosophy and the pastor of a large church in Montreal, Quebec, has talked on our podcast before about big m