Modeling Religion
Simulating the Transformation of Worldviews, Lifeways, and Civilizations

By (author) Wesley J. Wildman,F. LeRon Shults

ISBN13: 9781350367340

Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Published: 22/01/2026

Availability: Not yet available

Description
What role has religion played in the major civilizational transformations associated with the Neolithic Revolution, the Axial Age, and Modernity? This book introduces new methodological tools and material insights for guiding conversations about these debates. The authors introduce a new branch of computational humanities, using computational modeling to simulate civilizational transformations. They integrate multiple theories across many disciplines, including the scientific study of religion, and evaluate the relative importance of those causal theories in processes of civilizational change. Materially, the book sheds new light on major debates among historians, archaeologists, and other social theorists on the role of religion within these major transitions. The book tackles the urgent question of what sort of civilizational transformations might be possible in a world where the influence and significance of religion continues to decline wherever technology, education, freedom, and cultural pluralism are most advanced.
List of Figures Preface 1. Why Model Religion? 2. Civilizational Transformation 3. Computational Simulation 4. Modeling the Neolithic Transition 5. Modeling the Axial Age Transition 6. Modeling the Modernity Transition 7. Insights and Prospects Appendices Bibliography Index
  • Religion: general
  • Computer modelling & simulation
  • Religion & science
  • Professional & Vocational
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List Price: £28.99