Session 1
Date: Sunday 11/22/2015
Time: 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Room: 406 (Level 4)
Jutta Jokiranta, Helsingin Yliopisto – Helsingfors Universitet, Presiding
Risto Uro, University of Helsinki
“A Socio-Cognitive Approach to Early Christian Rituals” (25 min)
Discussion (5 min)
Rikard Roitto, Stockholm School of Theology
“The Importance of Embodied Cognition for Cultural Evolution of Baptismal Theology” (25 min)
Discussion (5 min)
Break (5 min)
Brett E. Maiden, Emory University
“Psychological Essentialism in the Serek ha-Yahad and the Two Spirits Treatise” (25 min)
Discussion (5 min)
Vojtech Kaše, University of Helsinki – Masaryk University
“Quantifying Christianization of the Roman Empire: A Computational Replication and Extension” (25 min)
Discussion (5 min)
General discussion (25 min)

Session 2
Date: 11/22/2015
Time: Sunday 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Room: Hanover D (Exhibit Level)
Theme: Cooperation, Manipulation, and Violence: Evolutionary Perspectives on Ancient Texts
Risto Uro, University of Helsinki, Presiding
Yitzhaq Feder, University of Haifa
“Defilement and Moral Discourse in the Hebrew Bible: An Evolutionary Framework” (40 min)
Istvan Czachesz, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
“Morality after Empathy? Current Trends in the Cognitive and Neuroscientific Study of Empathy and Their Implications for Biblical Interpretation” (40 min)Break (5 min)
Thomas Kazen, Stockholm School of Theology, Respondent (20 min)
Colleen Shantz, Toronto School of Theology, Respondent (20 min)
Discussion (25 min)

Note also the session organized by the AAR Cognitive Science of Religion Group with the world renowned primatologist Frans de Waal.

A21-118
Cognitive Science of Religion Group
Theme: Morality Without Religion: Empathy, Fairness, and Prosocial Primates
Date: 11/21/2015
Time: Saturday, 9:00 AM–11:30 AM
Room: Hyatt-Regency (Ballroom Level)
Dimitris Xygalatas, University of Connecticut, Presiding
Dr. Frans B. M. de Waal is one of the world’s leading primatologists, known for his work on the behavior and social intelligence of primates. His book, The Bonobo and the Atheist, examines the origins and evolution of morality and the role of religion in human society. He is C. H. Candler Professor in the Psychology Department of Emory University and Director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Center, in Atlanta. He has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (US), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences. In 2007, he was selected by Time as one of The Worlds’ 100 Most Influential People Today, and in 2011 by Discover as among 47 (all time) Great Minds of Science.
Panelist: Frans de Waal, Emory University
Responding:
Sarah Brosnan, Georgia State University
Robert N. McCauley, Emory University
Edward Slingerland, University of British Columbia
Azim Shariff, University of Oregon
Frans de Waal, University of Emory