Religious and Sacred Imperatives in Human Conflict - Scott Atran & Jeremy Ginges http://t.co/4Pnjb25O #religion #conflict

"Religion, in promoting outlandish beliefs and costly rituals, increases ingroup trust but also may increase mistrust and conflict with outgroups. Moralizing gods emerged over the last few millennia, enabling large-scale cooperation, and sociopolitical conquest even without war. Whether for cooperation or conflict, sacred values, like devotion to God or a collective cause, signal group identity and operate as moral imperatives that inspire nonrational exertions independent of likely outcomes. In conflict situations, otherwise mundane sociopolitical preferences may become sacred values, acquiring immunity to material incentives. Sacred values sustain intractable conflicts that defy “business-like” negotiation, but also provide surprising opportunities for resolution."

Behind TIME Cover: Most Human Societies Don't Get Our Breastfeeding Hang-up via @sharethis #anthropology #savestheday

Journal of Linguistic #Anthropology, May 2012 /via @WB_Anthropology

Must-read review article: Ethnographic Approaches to Digital Media by @biellacoleman #anthropology #ethnography

Tens of thousands of years ago, humans prevailed over a Neanderthals. A new study suggests that man's best friend might have helped us win the battle. More »