Neil Van Leeuwen
Special guest
Neil Van Leeuwen does theoretical work in philosophy of mind and action and collaborates with empirical researchers in anthropology, neuroscience, and psychology. His research touches on the nature of belief, imagination, and the cognitive structures that guide pretend play more generally—among other things. He is the author of "Religion as Make-Believe: A Theory of Belief, Imagination, and Group Identity," published by Harvard University Press in 2023. His research has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and The New Yorker.
Neil Van Leeuwen has been a guest on 1 episode.
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65: Religion as Make-Believe (with Neil Van Leeuwen)
May 8th, 2025 | 58 mins 14 secs
conspiracy theories, emotions, happiness, make-believe, meaning, neil van leeuwen, philosophy, psychology, purpose, reasoning, religion, religion as make-believe, religious belief, religious credence, social science, well being, wisdom
Is religious belief a form of make-believe — and if so, what deeper truths might we be acting out? Neil Van Leeuwen joins Igor and Charles to explore the psychological roots of religion, the nature of belief, and how sacred values shape group identity. Igor reflects on the blurring line between religious and political convictions, Neil argues that religious credence operates more like imaginative play than factual belief, and Charles considers whether conspiracy theories might be filling the same social and psychological roles. Welcome to Episode 65.