Let’s get physical

the ethology of religious submissions and intimidations

Authors

  • Thomas Ellis Appalachian State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/bar.33438

Keywords:

ethology, ritual, submission, intimidation, non-natural agents, physicalism

Abstract

The consensus in philosophical and scientific circles is that physicalism is the most warranted position to adopt. With respect to the academic study of religion, physicalism underwrites two complementary approaches, one widely recognized and the other underappreciated in the field at large. While the cognitive science of religion (CSR) enjoys widespread recognition, the ethology of religion does not. This paper employs ethology to explain two submissive behaviours ritual practitioners often perform, that is, ocular aversion and rump presentation. Significantly, the means of submission reflect the practitioner’s perceptions of the intimidating agents’, e.g., deities’, organ of intimidation. As it is in the animal kingdom, so too in the religious imagination, dominant others, especially males, will use their eyes or their phalluses to intimidate.

Author Biography

  • Thomas Ellis, Appalachian State University

    Thomas B. Ellis is a professor of religion in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Appalachian State University, Boone, NC. Ellis specializes in the historical traditions of South Asia as well as in the biology and psychology of religion. His current project focuses on infectious disease ecologies and religious traditions.

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Published

2017-12-22

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Ellis, T. (2017). Let’s get physical: the ethology of religious submissions and intimidations. Body and Religion, 1(2), 148-168. https://doi.org/10.1558/bar.33438