Neural Network Models of Religious Belief

Abstract

This paper applies neural network technology, a standard approach in computer science that has been unaccountably ignored by sociologists, to the problem of developing rigorous sociological theories. A simulation program employing a “varimax” model of human learning and decision-making models central elements of the Stark-Bainbridge theory of religion. Individuals in a micro-society of 24 simulated people learn which categories of potential exchange partners to seek for each of four material rewards which in fact can be provided by other actors in the society. However, when they seek eternal life, they are unable to find suitable human exchange partners who can provide it to them, so they postulate the existence of supernatural exchange partners as substitutes. The explanation of how the particular neural net works, including reference to modulo arithmetic, introduces some aspects of this new technology to sociology, and this paper invites readers to explore the wide range of other neural net techniques that may be of value for social scientists