Christian Smith on Religion and Human Nature

What is the argument about human nature regarding religion presented in the lecture?

Humans are not inherently religious, but have certain capacities that may lead to religious behavior when triggered by environmental factors.

What does critical realism say about causality and empirical observation?

Critical realism argues that causes can exist and be operative even if there are no observable empirical variants.

What are the characteristics of capacities related to religion according to the lecture?

The capacities related to religion are potentials that are not automatic and need contextual and experiential triggers to manifest.

How does the lecture describe the relationship between non-religious people and religion?

Non-religious people are said to have latent capacities for religion, which can become active under certain conditions.

What does the lecturer imply about the observation of causal powers?

The lecturer implies that there are many causal powers at work in the world that may not always be visible or observable.

What is a common misconception about non-religious people mentioned in the lecture?

The misconception is that non-religious individuals are desperately trying to suppress a natural religious inclination.

Why does the speaker not shy away from the term 'nature' in discussing religion?

The speaker uses 'nature' to describe religion as a part of human reality, aligning with the concept of critical realism.

What does 'critical realism' emphasize regarding non-observable phenomena?

Critical realism emphasizes that validity and reality can exist in mechanisms even when they are not empirically observable.