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Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences - Unit 2: Belief Systems
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 17 hours
  • Course by Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
  • Offered by

About

Throughout history, the vast majority of people around the globe have believed they have, however defined, a “soul.” While the question of whether the soul exists cannot be answered by science, what we can study are the causes and consequences of various beliefs about the soul and its prospects of surviving the death of the body. Why are soul and afterlife beliefs so common in human history? Are there adaptive advantages to assuming souls exist? Are there brain structures that have been shaped by environmental pressures that provide the foundation of body/mind dualism that is such a prominent feature of many religions? How do these beliefs shape the worldviews of different cultures and our collective lives? What is the role of competing afterlife beliefs in religion, science, politics, and war? This course explores several facets of this relatively unexplored but profoundly important aspect of human thought and behavior. The course consists mainly of 70 to 80 minute lectures, typically broken up into 3 segments, recorded from a course offered by Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences. These videos include slides and some embedded video clips. Most lectures are accompanied by slides used during the lecture, also including recommended reading assignment which may provide additional opportunities to reflect on your studies. Due to the lengthiness of this class and natural progression, the online course has been separated into 3 units, this is Unit 2.

Modules

Lesson 1

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
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1 Videos

  • Introduction

2 Readings

  • Welcome to the Course
  • Learner Support

Lesson 2

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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3 Videos

  • Thinking and Feeling Part A
  • Thinking and Feeling Part B
  • Thinking and Feeling Part C

1 Readings

  • Unpleasantness in Vermont

Lesson 3

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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3 Videos

  • Terror Management Part A
  • Terror Management Part B
  • Terror Management Part C

1 Readings

  • Tales from the Crypt: On the Role of Death in Life

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Quiz - Lessons 2 & 3

Lesson 4

    • 3 Videos
    • 2 Readings
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3 Videos

  • Internalized Beliefs I Part A
  • Internalized Beliefs I Part B
  • Internalized Beliefs I Part C

2 Readings

  • The Anatomy of Internalized Beliefs
  • The Anatomy of Internalized Beliefs: Like a Rock (slides from presentation)

Lesson 5

    • 3 Videos
    • 2 Readings
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3 Videos

  • Internalized Beliefs II Part A
  • Internalized Beliefs II Part B
  • Internalized Beliefs II Part C

2 Readings

  • Mirror Neurons and Imitation Learning as the Driving Force Behind "the Great Leap Forward" in Human Evolution
  • Religion is natural

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Quiz - Lessons 4 & 5

Core Beliefs

    • 1 PeerReview
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1 Peer Review

  • Core Beliefs

Lesson 6

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied I Part A
  • After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied I Part B
  • After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied I Part C

Lesson 7

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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3 Videos

  • After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied II Part A
  • After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied II Part B
  • After-Life, Out of Body, and Disembodied II Part C

1 Readings

  • Soul Searching

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Quiz - Lessons 6 & 7

Lesson 8

    • 1 Videos
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1 Videos

  • Prelude to Second Half

Lesson 9

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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3 Videos

  • The Brain & Our Emotional Future Part A
  • The Brain & Our Emotional Future Part B
  • The Brain & Our Emotional Future Part C

1 Readings

  • Religion is natural

Lesson 10

    • 3 Videos
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3 Videos

  • Biology of Thou Shalt Not (Part A)
  • Biology of Thou Shalt Not (Part B)
  • Biology of Thou Shalt Not (Part C)

Review

    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Quiz - Lessons 9 & 10

Dualism: Bloom vs. Descartes

    • 1 PeerReview
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1 Peer Review

  • Dualism: Bloom vs. Descartes

Lesson 11

    • 3 Videos
    • 1 Readings
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3 Videos

  • The Undesired Self Part A
  • The Undesired Self Part B
  • The Undesired Self Part C

1 Readings

  • The Undesired Self: Deadly Connotations

Course Pages

    • 2 Readings
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2 Readings

  • Syllabus
  • Grading and Logistics

Auto Summary

Explore the fascinating realm of soul beliefs with "Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences - Unit 2: Belief Systems" from Rutgers University. Delve into the causes and impacts of soul and afterlife beliefs across cultures and history. This foundational Arts & Humanities course features engaging 70-80 minute lectures, complete with slides and video clips, spread across three units. Available on Coursera with Starter and Professional subscription options, it's ideal for anyone interested in the profound aspects of human thought and behavior.

Prof. Daniel M. Ogilvie
Instructors

Prof. Daniel M. Ogilvie

Prof. Leonard W. Hamilton
Instructors

Prof. Leonard W. Hamilton