"It is a rare treat to have the leading scholars of one generation comment on their towering predecessors. Mental Culture is a stunning book that should be required reading in both religious studies and cognitive science. Kudos to the editors for their vision, masterful organization, and firmly situating the cognitive science of religion within the distinguished history of the academic study of religion." - Richard Sosis, University of Connecticut "The diverse phenomena of religion constitute one of the most crucial sets of evidence that we possess on the human mind. As such, it requires a thorough cross-disciplinary examination. This excellent collection of papers goes a long way toward achieving this end." - Merlin Donald, Queen's University, Kingston Why is the set of human beliefs and behaviours that we call 'religion' such a widespread feature of all known human societies, past and present, and why are there so many forms of religiosity found throughout history and culture? Mental Culture brings together an international range of scholars from Anthropology, History, Psychology, Philosophy, and Religious Studies to answer these questions. Connecting classical theories and approaches with the newly established field of the Cognitive Science of Religion, the aim of Mental Culture is to provide scholars and students of religion with an overview of contemporary scientific approaches to religion while tracing their intellectual development to some of the great thinkers of the past.