This podcast episode explores Ara Norenzayan's experiences growing up in Lebanon during the civil war and his subsequent research as a psychologist on the cognitive architecture of religious belief. It delves into the impact of the war on Lebanese society, the role of religion in shaping beliefs and practices, and the relationship between cognitive tendencies and cultural input in the formation of religious beliefs. The episode also discusses the paradoxical relationship between religiosity, wealth, and happiness, as well as the potential benefits of mystical experiences and meditation in finding meaning and well-being.
