Chevron Left
Back to Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences - Unit 1: Historical Foundations

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences - Unit 1: Historical Foundations by Rutgers the State University of New Jersey

4.5
stars
407 ratings

About the Course

Throughout history, the vast majority of people around the globe have believed they have, however defined, a “soul.” While the question of whether the soul exists cannot be answered by science, what we can study are the causes and consequences of various beliefs about the soul and its prospects of surviving the death of the body. Why are soul and afterlife beliefs so common in human history? Are there adaptive advantages to assuming souls exist? Are there brain structures that have been shaped by environmental pressures that provide the foundation of body/mind dualism that is such a prominent feature of many religions? How do these beliefs shape the worldviews of different cultures and our collective lives? What is the role of competing afterlife beliefs in religion, science, politics, and war? This course explores several facets of this relatively unexplored but profoundly important aspect of human thought and behavior. The course consists mainly of 70 to 80 minute lectures, typically broken up into 3 segments, recorded from a course offered by Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences. These videos include slides and some embedded video clips. Most lectures are accompanied by slides used during the lecture, also including recommended reading assignment which may provide additional opportunities to reflect on your studies. Due to the lengthiness of this class and natural progression, the online course has been separated into 3 units, this is Unit 1....

Top reviews

EV

Dec 1, 2020

We crafted course. Addresses a current real urgent aspect of life that is much needed as we evolve in consciousness. Both the professors were excellent

TK

Aug 28, 2015

Fascinating, informative, thought provoking, makes you think. What more could you ask for from a Course? The Professors are wonderful. I'm so glad I choose to take this Course.

Filter by:

76 - 100 of 113 Reviews for Soul Beliefs: Causes and Consequences - Unit 1: Historical Foundations

By Juan J D

Nov 26, 2015

A life changing course.

By Roberto R

Aug 14, 2015

everybody have to do it

By Winston A W

Dec 27, 2020

Excellent, thank you.

By Libero P

Aug 30, 2025

Πολύ καλό μάθημα.

By Alaa H

Nov 12, 2019

Excellent course.

By Deleted A

Jun 23, 2017

very interesting.

By Arve F

Jun 11, 2017

Very interesting.

By Luis L

Sep 17, 2015

Very good, thanks

By liliana g

Aug 13, 2015

Its an eye opener

By Leticia M

Mar 5, 2018

Amazing course

By Anne M

Mar 18, 2017

Fascinating!!!

By Emil

Aug 15, 2018

Done it

By Michele S

Nov 4, 2023

Awes

By Alfredo G

Sep 5, 2024

El curso es de mi mayor interés pues recientemente he venido explorando temas teológicos, e históricos relacionados con la religión y, precisamente este curso se me hizo sumamente interesante por los aspectos que maneja; sin embargo considero que los instructores poseen amplios conocimientos pero les faltan estrategias de enseñanza ya que más de una ocasión vimos en los videos a estudiantes que habían perdido el interés o simplemente estaban dormidos y eso es un aspecto que hay que corregir pues refleja el punto que menciono. Quizá haya que apoyarse de instructores jóvenes que traigan nuevo impulso a los temas y que los profesores asignados sean quienes supervisen la enseñanza y los contenidos. Creo que puede mejorar ese aspecto. Gracias

By Wells H

Sep 14, 2015

A new course with new material. The course is in the beginning stages of evolution, just like the human psyche. Perhaps someone will refine it in time but it is a very good course, especially considering nothing quite like this has been presented before.

By Srikanth G

May 13, 2021

Could be more crisp. As it is undergraduate course in the university, a bit of extended (out of core point) lectures are given.

I enjoyed and learnt many new things and ideas!!

Big Thanks!!

By louis f d m p s

Sep 19, 2015

I sincerely appreciate the enormous effort and encouragement of Prof. Daniel M. Ogilvie and Prof. Leonard W. Hamilton. A sincere hug and my gratitude.

By Angel B

May 27, 2017

He's talky...but it's an entertaining flow :) and you actually learn a lot. You can tell both of them enjoy teaching this MOOC.

By Cheryl W

Nov 2, 2015

I enjoyed the course. It gave a good historical look at the foundations of religion. I'm looking forward to Unit 2.

By Joy S

Jan 7, 2017

Really liked the funny, old professor who gives most of the lectures. Good info.

By Haley K

Jun 19, 2017

Very enjoyable and relatable. Good mix of reading, lecture, and conversation.

By Aarushi S

Sep 29, 2015

Amazing course touching areas where I also often debated with myself.

By ZAHEEN

Dec 11, 2015

Very Informative and logical. Loved Prof. Daniel Ogilvie lectures

By Nuria A

Sep 3, 2015

A very interesting course.

By Gregg C

Mar 13, 2016

This is a course for those who have not spent any time delving into comparative religion and testing their own traditional (family taught) belief systems with thoughts of act versus "trut."