The God Instinct

Does it actually exist?

The psychological concept that suggests people have a religious instinct is called "the God instinct" or "the religious instinct" theory. This theory suggests that the human mind has a innate tendency to believe in supernatural entities or a higher power, and that this belief is an evolved adaptation that helped our ancestors to survive and thrive. This theory is based on the idea that religious belief and behavior have been shaped by evolution, and that they serve important psychological and social functions. Some researchers have proposed that the God instinct may be related to cognitive mechanisms such as the agency detection device, which helps us to detect and respond to intentional agents in our environment. It might also be considered a will to meaning in life and the pursuit of real knowledge.

The Biological Evidence, If Any