Podcast — Episode 10

Why We Need Religion: A Conversation with Stephen T. Asma

Stephen T. Asma

Our guest on this episode is Stephen T. Asma, author of The Evolution of Imagination and Why We Need Religion.

In this episode:

As a musician, how do you understand what happens in the brain during jazz improvisation? (1:30) — How does the pressure of a ‘live’ musical performance stimulate creativity? (4:45) — From Aristotle and Kant to behaviorism: have philosophers and psychologists fully appreciated the value of the imagination? (7:00) — Why scientists should use films and novels, not just experiments, to understand human beings (10:00) — Jaak Panksepp, Antonio Damasio and affective neuroscience: the importance of emotions for decision-making (12:00)

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Stephen Asma’s lecture at UT Dallas was sponsored by the Center for Values in Medicine, Science and Technology.

This conversation took place at UT Dallas on February 23, 2018.

This episode was recorded and edited by Andrew Oh and Oskar Olsson.

Filed under Natural SciencesPhilosophySocial SciencesCenter for Values in Medicine Science and Technologycreativity and imaginationevolutionpsychology