Recent research found that damage to specific brain networks, primarily in the right hemisphere, is linked to higher levels of religious fundamentalism. These brain regions are involved in cognitive functions like reasoning, belief formation, and moral decision-making.
Fundamentalism is, at it’s core, about having a simple formula for dealing with a complex and scary world.
That sounds harmless, until my desire for simple answers rolls right over my neighbor’s human rights (and it frequently does).
I don’t mean to excuse anyone, but I honestly think we will see less fundamentalism as we reduce our overall exposure to sources of subtle brain damage (lead paint. Etc).
Fundamentalism is, at it’s core, about having a simple formula for dealing with a complex and scary world.
That sounds harmless, until my desire for simple answers rolls right over my neighbor’s human rights (and it frequently does).
I don’t mean to excuse anyone, but I honestly think we will see less fundamentalism as we reduce our overall exposure to sources of subtle brain damage (lead paint. Etc).
More and better education as well.