God and the Brain: The Rationality of Belief

In this underdeveloped work, Clark (The Story of Ethics), interfaith research fellow at Grand Valley State University, uses philosophy and cognitive science to dispute claims that belief in God is inherently irrational. He begins with a convincing assertion that the human mind’s natural disposition to religious belief is no more irrational than perceptual or moral belief—all of which are based on one’s unique (and untranslatable) perspective. Dismissing the idea that atheism is the “smarter” choice, he argues that the unbelief held by many academics and scientists is not rational, but rather the result of social and psychological pressures. However, this same emphasis on social pressures is notably absent from the rest of his analysis—while it exists for those in secular fields, social pressure isn’t addressed in relationship to religious devotion. Also, Clark doesn’t do himself any favors by making dubious claims, such as that autism could make religious belief more difficult (“autistic individuals have difficulties cognizing a personal relationship with God”), that only serve to undermine his shaky assertion that belief is more rational than disbelief. While Clark’s prose is clear and engaging, his unconvincing thesis lacks precision and will disappoint readers looking for a more grounded diagnosis of the origins of belief in the divine. (July)