Cognitive Science and Ancient Israelite Religion (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781108487788)

In this book, Brett Maiden employs the tools, research, and theories from the cognitive science of religion to explore religious thought and behavior in ancient Israel. His study focuses on a key set of distinctions between intuitive and reflective types of cognitive processing, implicit and explicit concepts, and cognitively optimal and costly religious traditions. Through a series of case studies, Maiden examines a range of topics including popular and official religion, Deuteronomic theology, hybrid monsters in ancient iconography, divine cult statues in ancient Mesopotamia and the biblical idol polemics, and the Day of Atonement ritual in Leviticus 16. The range of media, including ancient texts, art, and archaeological data from ancient Israel, as well theoretical perspectives demonstrates how a dialogue between biblical scholars and cognitive researchers can be fostered.

Author: Brett E. Maiden
ISBN-10: 1108487785
ISBN-13: 9781108487788
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 10/08/2020
Pages: 300
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.20lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.81d