Our brains have evolved to look for patterns and assign meaning, even when none exist.

[Jim__]

55. That does not answer the question of "why" it was selected-for.

Last edited Sun Apr 1, 2012, 07:51 AM - Edit history (2)

Yes, the brain recognizes patterns. A powerful pattern recognition machine may well sometimes lead to false positives. Therefore the brain is a belief engine? Non sequitur.

And certain types of false beliefs are universal across cultures? Why? Claiming the brain is a belief engine really does not explain that. And, certain beliefs that he claims result from pattern recognition can be better explained though other mechanisms, for example the emotional reaction to the sudden, unexpected death of a loved one and the belief in ghosts. And, once you have a belief in ghosts, you have a strong candidate for belief in an afterlife and from that you can get to a belief in the supernatural.

The questions are open and any proposed answers at this time are not sufficiently supported by data to make any determination. If, as the OP claims, the answer is science, then the answer to this question about beliefs is not yet known.