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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/11375/29039
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dc.contributor.advisorDr. Liyakat Takim, Dr. Travis Kroeker-
dc.contributor.authorPassyar, Forough-
dc.date.accessioned2023-10-12T20:23:23Z-
dc.date.available2023-10-12T20:23:23Z-
dc.date.issued2023-
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11375/29039-
dc.description.abstractThe field of Cognitive Science of Religion (CSR) is a growing field that has made interesting inroads in analyzing various religious traditions. There has been reticence within Islamic Studies in engaging with CSR, for reasons of reductionism. However, there is a fruitful discussion to be had between these two disciplines. I extend Aria Nakissa’s work analyzing Al-Ghazali and make my own assertions regarding the Islamic notion of fitra. I assert that fitra, the inherent disposition for belief in God can be compared with CSR’s claims about the innateness of belief in God. I argue fitra is an epistemic notion whose subcomponent, the wahm (estimative faculty) produces judgments akin to those judgments made by cognitive modules like the hyperactive agency detection device (HADD). This module is subject to sensitivity regarding the detection of agents. I claim that supernatural agents can be inferred from a more local agent when the wahm goes beyond its domain of sensory perceptions, informed by Ghazali’s thought. Lastly, I argue that fear can elicit belief in God and Ghazali demonstrates this observation when he advises fear as a therapeutic device to remediate doubt or apostasy.en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subjectGhazali, Al-Ghazali, Cognitive Science of Religion, CSR, Modularity of Mind, Cognitive Byproduct model, Adaptation, Adaptationist model, Epistemology, Fitra, Fitrah, Ibn Sina, Avicenna, Justin Barretten_US
dc.titleFear and Fitra: Cognitive Science of Religion and Ghazali's Ultimate Agenten_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.contributor.departmentReligious Studiesen_US
dc.description.degreetypeThesisen_US
dc.description.degreeMaster of Arts (MA)en_US
dc.description.layabstractThe growing field of Cognitive Science of Religion (CSR) and its interaction with Islamic Studies is a fruitful and underdeveloped area of research. This thesis aims to contribute to this convergence. The Islamic notion of fitra suggests that belief in God is an innate and natural disposition. CSR similarly posits belief in God as an innate easily reinforced belief due to the kinds of minds we have. I suggest that both conceptions are compatible with one another vis a vis the perspective of medieval theologian Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali. Secondly, I argue that fear elicits belief in God.en_US
Appears in Collections:Open Access Dissertations and Theses

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