Teleology and the intentions of supernatural agents.

Teleology and the intentions of supernatural agents.
Conscious Cogn. 2020 Mar 07;80:102905
Authors: Roberts AJ, Wastell CA, Polito V
Abstract
Teleological beliefs about the natural world often exist implicitly, and there is a positive relationship between teleological endorsement and belief in supernatural agents. In the current study, participants judged a series of scientifically unwarranted teleological explanations of biological organisms and natural non-living objects, under speeded or un-speeded instructions. After controlling for belief in the existence of supernatural agents, rates of implicit (speeded) and explicit (un-speeded) teleological endorsement were moderated by the belief that supernatural agents intentionally interact with the world. Amongst non-religious individuals, rates of implicit endorsement were significantly higher than explicit endorsement, whereas for highly religious individuals the difference was non-significant. This interaction was driven predominantly by explanations of natural non-living objects. These results are consistent with an intention-based theory of teleology, and help to reconcile the finding of a positive relationship between teleological endorsement and belief in supernatural agents, with the those of an enduring teleological bias.
PMID: 32155580 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Consciousness and Cognition - March 6, 2020 Category: Neurology Authors: Roberts AJ, Wastell CA, Polito V Tags: Conscious Cogn Source Type: research