When talking about the relationship between religion and flourishing, the first task is to frame the question theologically and philosophically, and this entails taking seriously the potential challenges latent in the issue. These challenges includeâbeyond the contested definitions of both "religion" and "flourishing"âthe claims of some faith traditions that true adherence to that tradition's goals and intrinsic goods can be incompatible with self-interest, and also the fact that religious definitions of health and wholeness tend to be less concrete than secular definitions. Despite the difficulties, research that considers uniquely religious aspects of human flourishing is essential, as scholars pursue even greater methodological rigor in future investigations of causal connections. Religion and Human Flourishing brings together scholars of various specializations to consider how theological and philosophical perspectives might shape such future research, and how such research might benefit religious communities. The first section of the book takes up the foundational theological and philosophical questions. The next section turns to the empirical dimension and encompasses perspectives ranging from anthropology to psychology.The third and final section of the book follows in the empirical mold by moving to more sociological and economic levels of analysis. The concluding reflection offers a survey of what the social scientific research reveals about both the positive and negative effects of religion. Scholars and laypeople alike are interested in religion, and many more still are interested in how to lead a meaningful lifeâhow to flourish. The collaborative undertaking represented by Religion and Human Flourishing will further attest to the perennial importance of the questions of religious belief and the pursuit of the good life, and will become a standard for further exploration of such questions.

Using an innovative methodological approach combining field experiments, case studies, and statistical analyzes, this book explores how the religious beliefs and institutions of Catholics and Muslims prompt them to be generous with their time and resources. Drawing upon research involving more than 1,000 Catholics and Muslims in France, Ireland, Italy, and Turkey, the authors examine Catholicism and Islam in majority and minority contexts, discerning the specific factors that lead adherents to help others and contribute to social welfare projects. Based on theories from political science, economics, religious studies and social psychology, this approach uncovers the causal connections between religious community dynamics, religious beliefs and institutions, and socio-political contexts in promoting or hindering the generosity of Muslims and Catholics. The study also provides insight into what different religious beliefs mean to Muslims and Catholics, and how they understand those concepts.

This edited volume is intended to broaden the psychology of culture in two ways. First, the chapters discuss an impressive array of cultural influences - not just country of origin, East-West, or collectivism-individualism - but professional and disciplinary cultures, historical changes in cultures, social class, frontier settlement and geographical regions, political cultures, religion, and gender. While this is not an exhaustive list of the kinds of culture that psychology should be interested in, it is an exciting and fruitful new direction for psychology. Second, this book advances several new theories about the origins and processes of cultural development, from biological evolution to the division of labor and other aspects of social class. Among the contributions to cultural psychology as a whole, individual chapters offer insights into: * How to improve interdisciplinary collaboration in universities * Why some groups are relatively disadvantaged in various academic and professional fields * What methods are useful in studying temporal changes in cultures * How to avoid perpetuating hegemonic styles of thinking; for example, assuming that upper class people only influence lower class people * How regional differences in individualism-collectivism, well- being, honor and retribution, and personality persist over time * Why cosmopolitan cities may productively be viewed as modern frontiers * What cultural psychologists can learn from food * Why some people favor suites of political views that seem incompatible * How culture can be an expression of evolutionary processes This book will help students explore directions for their research and inspire generations of psychologists interested in culture.