SUPERNATURAL

The quest for transcendent meaning is one reason why humans embrace the supernatural.

Children naturally see the world as magical, yet when humans reach full cognitive development they are still drawn to supernatural beliefs and ideas that defy the laws of physics. Even those who consider themselves secular or atheists are seduced by supernatural belief systems. Clay Routledge, an experimental psychologist, asserts that belief or trust in forces beyond our understanding is rooted in our fear of death and need for meaning. In Supernatural, he reveals just how universal supernatural thinking is, and how this kind of thinking is adaptive and even healthy. Exploring research from the emerging field of experimental existential psychology, he makes the case that all humans have the same underlying existential needs, with similar coping strategies across times, cultures, and degrees of religiousness. Surprisingly, cultural institutions such as sports, environmentalism, secular humanism, and science also showcase supernatural attributes and qualities. Indeed, studies show that supernatural thinking assuages stress and anxiety and improves mood and psychological well-being. But there is a potential dark side to this line of thinking: it can lead to personal and social problems, and some individuals can take it a step too far. Routledge argues, though, this is the exception, not the rule. Supernatural thinking is ever-present and should unite us instead of dividing us. Clay Routledge is a professor and psychological scientist at North Dakota State University who studies human motivation. Much of his work focuses on how people grapple with existential questions and fear about death and meaning. He has written for publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Scientific American, and is an occasional behavioral science opinion writer for The New York Times and a regular contributor to National Review Online.