Evolution of Religion

Here is a talk given by Jared Diamond on the evolution of religion. Diamond is famous for his books Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies and Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed.



It is interesting that he views the purpose of religion to be:

• Provide explanations (creation myths, human diversity, nature stories)


• Help avoid conflict / hold societies together that have grown beyond tribal size


• Provide moral precepts


• Justify war