Hand of God, Mind of Man: Punishment and Cognition in the Evolution of Cooperation

Abstract

This chapter argues that the point of promoting cooperation, self-sacrifice, and charity can be developed through evolutionary biology, in spite of having 'selfish genes'. It is seen that religion has something to do with cooperation, but only for groups that adapt more religious rituals (as compared with secular groups). Supernatural punishment, which is suggested by cognitive mechanism as another factor in promoting cooperation, is also discussed. The chapter concludes that the thinking abilities of man influenced cooperation more than religion.