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- Level Foundation
- Duration 19 hours
- Course by Rutgers the State University of New Jersey
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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 1.Modules
Introduction
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1
Videos
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2
Readings
1
Videos
- Introduction
2
Readings
- Welcome to the Course
- Learner Support
What I was Told to Believe Part I
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- What I was Told to Believe Part I
What I was Told to Believe Part II
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- What I was Told to Believe Part II
What I was Told to Believe Part III
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- What I was Told to Believe Part III
Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #1
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2
Videos
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2
Readings
2
Videos
- Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #1 Part I
- Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #1 Part II
2
Readings
- Reading Resource
- Reading Resource
Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #2 Part I
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #2 Part I
Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #2 Part II
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #2 Part II
Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #2 Part III
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
1
Videos
- Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #2 Part III
1
Readings
- Reading Resource
Review
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Quiz 1
Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #3 Part I
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #3 Part I
Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #3 Part II
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #3 Part II
Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #3 Part III
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
1
Videos
- Historical Foundations of Soul Beliefs #3 Part III
1
Readings
- Reading Resource
Functions of Religion in Ancient & Modern Times Part I
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Functions of Religion in Ancient & Modern Times Part I
Functions of Religion in Ancient & Modern Times Part II
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Functions of Religion in Ancient & Modern Times Part II
Functions of Religion in Ancient & Modern Times Part III
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Functions of Religion in Ancient & Modern Times Part III
Review
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Quiz 2
Peer Review
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1
PeerReview
1
Peer Review
- Peer Review: Religion in Societies
Reactions to Scientific Evidence
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Prelude to Second Half
Religion Under Attack Part I
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Religion Under Attack Part I
Religion Under Attack Part II
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Religion Under Attack Part II
Religion Under Attack Part III
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Religion Under Attack Part III
Additional Video
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
1
Videos
- Additional Video - The Four Horsemen of Atheism
1
Readings
- Additional Video Link
Big Ideas & Controversies Part I
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Big Ideas & Controversies Part I
Big Ideas & Controversies Part II
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Big Ideas & Controversies Part II
Big Ideas & Controversies Part III
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
1
Videos
- Big Ideas & Controversies Part III
1
Readings
- Reading Resource
Review
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Quiz 3
Peer Review
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1
PeerReview
1
Peer Review
- Peer Review: Religious Conflict in the World
Darwin's Dangerous Idea Part I
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Darwin's Dangerous Idea Part I
Darwin's Dangerous Idea Part II
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Darwin's Dangerous Idea Part II
Darwin's Dangerous Idea Part III
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
1
Videos
- Darwin's Dangerous Idea Part III
1
Readings
- Reading Resource
The Mind-Body Problem Part I
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- The Mind-Body Problem Part I
The Mind-Body Problem Part II
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- The Mind-Body Problem Part II
The Mind-Body Problem Part III
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1
Videos
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1
Readings
1
Videos
- The Mind-Body Problem Part III
1
Readings
- Reading Resources
Review
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Quiz 4
Peer Review
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1
PeerReview
1
Peer Review
- Peer Review: Darwin’s Theory and a New Worldview
Auto Summary
Explore the profound and intriguing realm of human beliefs with "Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences - Unit 1: Historical Foundations." This engaging course delves into the deep-seated notion of the soul, a concept that has fascinated humanity across cultures and eras. While the existence of the soul remains beyond scientific validation, this course investigates the historical prevalence, adaptive advantages, and psychological underpinnings of soul and afterlife beliefs. Led by experts from Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences, the course offers a comprehensive examination of how these beliefs have shaped human thought, culture, and behavior. Through a series of engaging 70 to 80-minute lectures, enhanced with slides and video clips, you will explore the role of soul beliefs in religion, science, politics, and even conflict. This foundational course, available on Coursera, spans a total duration of 1140 minutes and is divided into three units for a structured learning experience. It is ideal for individuals interested in personal development and those seeking to understand the historical and psychological foundations of soul beliefs. Enroll with a Starter or Professional subscription and embark on a journey to uncover the causes and consequences of one of humanity's most enduring and influential ideas. Suitable for learners at the foundational level, this course promises to enrich your understanding of a central aspect of human consciousness and its impact on our collective lives.
Prof. Daniel M. Ogilvie
Prof. Leonard W. Hamilton