animal
gholamhossein khedri; Vahid Azizi
Abstract
In the present epoch, extensive, diverse and increasing studies of behavioral genetics, biology, neurophysiology and even neurophilosophy as well as comprehensive applications of empirical tools for describing the foundations of spirituality and faith in religions of human beings have posed serious questions ...
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In the present epoch, extensive, diverse and increasing studies of behavioral genetics, biology, neurophysiology and even neurophilosophy as well as comprehensive applications of empirical tools for describing the foundations of spirituality and faith in religions of human beings have posed serious questions and ambiguities about the origin and nature of religion and even faith. Dean Hamer (1951-) aimed to identify meaningful correlations between behavioral genetics, molecular genetics as well as psychological studies and profound experiences (spirituality and faith). According to Hamer, vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) - aka God gene- plays a quintessential role in spiritual and faith experiences. The present paper seeks to measure and evaluate the theory of God gene. In doing so, it first argues that the information contained in genes and gene polymorphisms cannot possibly provide a complete explanation of the processes of spirituality and faithism and do not unveil human faith and logical revelation of human belief. Thus, answering this question more accurately warrants more extensive research. Second, such physicalism is confined to the physical aspects of human beings, and the metaphysical and spiritual aspects of human existence fall largely outside of this realm. Third, there are competing theories set forth against Hamer's theory, proving that basic beliefs and faiths are not genetically rooted nor inherited whatsoever. However, the role of matter (genes and their products) in the functioning of the mind in the occurrence of semantic and faith actions can not be denied and gave it a zero degree role.
