The Spiritual Anthropologist

Where Alcohol and Anthropology Meet

Breaking the Spell: Unreasonable Views on the Nature of Religion

By alcanthro Leave a Comment Apr 20 0

Recently, I came across an article discussing Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon. I have not focused on Daniel Dennett’s work, but I wanted to respond to the discussion in the article, and will be adding more to this discussion as I read through the book. One of the largest issues is that […]

Continue

On the Scientific Perception and Reality of Whooping Cough

By alcanthro Leave a Comment Feb 14 0

The following is a draft research proposal to investigate the scientific perception and reality of the efficacy and efficiency of B. pertussis vaccines and the prevalence of asymptomatic infections. I have written extensively, both on The Spiritual Anthropologist, and over at Politicoid, on the topics of vaccine efficacy and science, especially concerning issues with the […]

Continue

Philosophy of Academics

By alcanthro Leave a Comment Dec 30 0

Philosophy of Academics included Philosophy of Education, but also questions about the validity of methods of research and scholarly communication. Questions include, but are not limited to is the separation between “fields of study” in academia reasonable or arbitrary?, is there a more reasonable way to measure academic achievement beyond degree level?, and can people still […]

Continue

Those Who Claim Religion is a Delusion are Delusional

By alcanthro Leave a Comment Dec 29 9

Prominent individuals in psychology have stated or implied that religion is a delusion. These people are often delusional themselves. I have explained why religion is not a delusion or mental illness in “The Pervasive Nature of Religiophobia” and “Religion is an Illness and Evolution is Wrong (Not).“

Continue

The Human Gut Microbiome

By alcanthro Leave a Comment Dec 22 0

Introduction Over the last couple of decades, we have learned a lot about the human gut microbiome. Rather than simply being a collection of commensal organisms, the gut microbiome (GMB) is now thought to be involved in a number of important metabolic roles, including nutrient extraction, immunity, and possibly even the regulation of sleep and […]

Continue

Placebo as Medicine

By alcanthro Leave a Comment Nov 15 0

Vaccine Banner

Why do people view the placebo effect as if it’s “no effect?” Consider the following quote by Steven Novella, MD over at “Science Based Medicine.”

Continue

A Rebuttal to “Is Religion Useful…” by Genetically Modified Skeptic

By alcanthro Leave a Comment Nov 12 0

Religion is useful, but Genetically Modified Skeptic misses the real point and fails to understand a lot about the scientific study of religion.

Continue

The Fallacy of Scientific Consensus

By alcanthro Leave a Comment Sep 14 3

I have been involved in a number of arguments about scientific consensus. The most recent debate has convinced me to write about the topic in depth. The idea of scientific consensus has been popular since reports that 97% of all papers offering a position on climate change assert that climate change is happening. I am not […]

Continue

What Would an Eternal (After)life Feel Like?

By alcanthro Leave a Comment Sep 6 0

Certain people who argue against the existence of an eternal afterlife like to argue that it would feel like “hell” or that we cannot even imagine it. I disagree. There are ways that we can guess what it would be like, and to find a clue to this question, all one needs is a little […]

Continue

Religion is an Illness and Evolution is Wrong (Not)

By alcanthro Leave a Comment Aug 19 0

Religion is not an illness. This short discussion provides one of many arguments as to why this is the case.

Continue
  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • Next Page »

Tags

afterlife anthropology atheism bigotry bioarchaeology business calvados cocktail cognitive model culture definitions eidos epidemiology epistemology evolution facebook fMRI gender gods harris history long pepper medicine mental health old fashioned penguinism pertussis psychology public health race religion religiophobia religious rejectionist research satanism science sex simple syrup Smart sociology soda Sq'wak thermodynamics twitter vaccines

Recent Posts

  • A Reply to Gina Rippon’s Commentary on Sex Based Differences in The Brain
  • Plants vs Animals
  • Skeptical Tawny Frogmouth
  • Online Communities and Massive Multiplayer Online Games as Homes
  • Revising Public Health Practice

Categories

  • Alcohol
  • Cocktails and Ingredients
  • Comics
  • Health & Medicine
  • Historiography
  • Humor
  • New Research
  • Papers
  • Philosophy
  • Philosophy of Academics
  • Philosophy of Science
  • Rebuttals
  • Religion
  • Site News
  • Social Media
The Spiritual Anthropologist
Copyright © 2023 The Spiritual Anthropologist · (in)SPYR Theme by Genesis Developer: SPYR Media