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The Scientific Approach to Emotions: Its Relevance for the Cognitive Study of Religion and for Theology

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Issues in Science and Theology: Do Emotions Shape the World?

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Abstract

The new wave of scientific studies of emotions deserves closer scrutiny from the point of view of a theology seriously engaged with science. The current discussions, and the progress which has taken place in this field of research, offer new opportunities for a better understanding of human nature and its specificity, and for assessing several aspects in the scientific study of religion and its theological applications. As a main result, this research provides a broad understanding on emotions far from more reductive initial assessments. This view supports a more elaborate view about human mind and behaviour. From such a basis, theology can get a more accurate view of human freedom, of our capacity for love, and of sinfulness, helping to overcome its own more simplistic anthropological positions. The theology of faith can be enriched, too, from a view that builds cognition and emotion into shared and complex schemas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Antonianum University, Rome, Italy

    Lluis Oviedo

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  1. Lluis Oviedo
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Correspondence to Lluis Oviedo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Martin-Luther-University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany

    Dirk Evers

  2. New College, University Of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

    Michael Fuller

  3. Trelleborg, Sweden

    Anne Runehov

  4. NLA University College, Volda University College and, Bergen, Norway

    Knut-Willy Sæther

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Oviedo, L. (2016). The Scientific Approach to Emotions: Its Relevance for the Cognitive Study of Religion and for Theology. In: Evers, D., Fuller, M., Runehov, A., Sæther, KW. (eds) Issues in Science and Theology: Do Emotions Shape the World?. Issues in Science and Religion: Publications of the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26769-2_16

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