God from the Machine

Artificial Intelligence Models of Religious Cognition

Nonfiction, Computers, Advanced Computing, Artificial Intelligence
Cover of the book God from the Machine by William Sims Bainbridge, AltaMira Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: William Sims Bainbridge ISBN: 9780759114357
Publisher: AltaMira Press Publication: April 17, 2006
Imprint: AltaMira Press Language: English
Author: William Sims Bainbridge
ISBN: 9780759114357
Publisher: AltaMira Press
Publication: April 17, 2006
Imprint: AltaMira Press
Language: English

'God from the machine' (deus ex machina) refers to an ancient dramatic device where a god was mechanically brought onto the stage to save the hero from a difficult situation. But here, William Sims Bainbridge uses the term in a strikingly different way. Instead of looking to a machine to deliver an already known god, he asks what a computing machine and its simulations might teach us about how religion and religious beliefs come to being. Bainbridge posits the virtual town of Cyburg, population 44,100. Then, using rules for individual and social behavior taken from the social sciences, he models a complex community where residents form groups, learn to trust or distrust each other, and develop religious faith. Bainbridge's straightforward arguments point to many more applications of computer simulation in the study of religion. God from the Machine will serve as an important text in any class with a social scientific approach to religion.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

'God from the machine' (deus ex machina) refers to an ancient dramatic device where a god was mechanically brought onto the stage to save the hero from a difficult situation. But here, William Sims Bainbridge uses the term in a strikingly different way. Instead of looking to a machine to deliver an already known god, he asks what a computing machine and its simulations might teach us about how religion and religious beliefs come to being. Bainbridge posits the virtual town of Cyburg, population 44,100. Then, using rules for individual and social behavior taken from the social sciences, he models a complex community where residents form groups, learn to trust or distrust each other, and develop religious faith. Bainbridge's straightforward arguments point to many more applications of computer simulation in the study of religion. God from the Machine will serve as an important text in any class with a social scientific approach to religion.

More books from AltaMira Press

Cover of the book The Anthropology of Health and Healing by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book Cultural Anthropology by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book Cultural Representation in Native America by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book Ethnic Community Builders by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book New Directions in Anthropology and Environment by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book Listening in on Museum Conversations by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book The Manner Born by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book Living Histories by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book Appetites and Aspirations in Vietnam by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book Stewardship: Collections and Historic Preservation by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book The Peoples of Southeast Asia Today by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book Contested Images by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book San Francisco by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book Modern Tribal Development by William Sims Bainbridge
Cover of the book Ethnographically Speaking by William Sims Bainbridge
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy