Understanding Religion Through Artificial Intelligence

In <i>Understanding Religion through Artificial Intelligence</i> Justin E. Lane looks at the reasons why humans feel they are part of a religious group despite often being removed from other group members by vast distances or multiple generations. To achieve this Lane offers a new perspective that integrates religious studies with psychology anthropology and data science as well as with research at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence (AI).<br/><br/>After providing a critical analysis of approaches to religion and social cohesion Lane proposes a new model for religious studies which he calls the Information Identity System. This model focuses on the idea of conceptual ties: links between an individual's self-concept and the ancient beliefs of their religious group. Lane explores this idea through real-world examples ranging from the rise in global Pentecostalism to religious extremism and self-radicalization to the effect of 9/11 on sermons. Lane uses this lens to show how we can understand religion and culture today and how we can better contextualize the changes we see in the social world around us.