Science & the Big Questions

Nostalgia Means Everything Old Can Be New Again

Nostalgia is this bittersweet — yet positive emotion — we feel when we harken back in time.

The Pulse, WHYY

Topics: Andrew Newberg Emotion Meaning Purpose Resilience

Do Humans Have a ‘Religion Instinct’?

Are spiritual beliefs an inevitable consequence of evolution?

BBC Future

Topics: Andrew Newberg Belief Bonding Evolution of Religion Morality Religiosity Ritual Scientific Study of Religion Spirituality

New Neuroscience Research Helps Explain Our Growing Attraction to Spiritual Retreats

Scientists from The Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered that there are actual changes that take place in the brains of retreat participants.

The Washington Post

Topics: Andrew Newberg Emotion Meditation Spirituality

Worshipping Waterfalls: The Evolution of Belief

Can we ever know why our ancient human ancestors developed spiritual beliefs? Can evolutionary science uncover the roots of religion?

To the Best of Our Knowledge

Topics: Andrew Newberg Animal Studies Ara Norenzayan Barbara King Evolution of Religion Frans de Waal Jeff Schloss

What Makes a Genius?

Some minds are so exceptional they change the world. We don’t know exactly why these people soar above the rest of us, but science offers us clues.

National Geographic

Topics: Andrew Newberg Angela Duckworth Creativity Genius Grit Intelligence Rex Jung Scott Barry Kaufman