Byproduct Theories of Religion Don’t Withstand Evolutionary Scrutiny
Byproduct theory is itself problematic, and its relevancy to religion is misguided.
Every human society has some form of religion, yet the cognitive scientists who study religion are divided about why humans have it. What is its function and purpose? Some believe religion provides benefits and increases evolutionary fitness. In other words, it’s adaptive and is selected for, which means there are genetic predispositions for religion.
Alternatively, a prevailing cohort of academics in the cognitive science of religion (CSR) field believe religion is a byproduct of other evolved cognitive features such as a theory of mind or the hyperactive agency detection device. The byproduct theorists have designated the standard model to represent their position that religion did not evolve and is not a human adaptation. Per the standard model, religion, as well as behaviors like art and music, is a side effect or byproduct of other domain-specific cognitive adaptations and does not functionally enhance human existence. In other words, other features of human cognition evolved, but religious beliefs and behaviors did not. Instead they were accidental outcomes of the evolution of the human mind.
Given this core disagreement about the role of religion and the astounding advances in psychology…
