Understanding why individuals are more confident of the existence of invisible scientific phenomena (e.g., oxygen) than invisible religious phenomena (e.g., God) remains a puzzle. Departing from conventional explanations linking ontological beliefs to direct experience, we introduce a model positing that testimony predominantly shapes beliefs in both scientific and religious domains. Distinguishing direct experience (personal observation) from cultural input (testimony-based evidence), we argue that even apparently direct experiences often stem from others’ testimony. Our analysis indicates that variability in direct experience cannot explain belief disparities between science and religion, within each domain, or across cultures. Instead, variability in testimony is the primary driver of ontological beliefs. We present developmental evidence for testimony-based beliefs and elucidate the mechanisms underlying their impact.

中文翻译：

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科学和宗教信仰主要由证词塑造


理解为什么人们对看不见的科学现象（例如氧气）的存在比看不见的宗教现象（例如上帝）更有信心仍然是一个谜。与将本体论信仰与直接经验联系起来的传统解释不同，我们引入了一个模型，假设证词主要塑造科学和宗教领域的信仰。通过区分直接经验（个人观察）和文化输入（基于证词的证据），我们认为即使是明显的直接经验也常常源于他人的证词。我们的分析表明，直接经验的可变性无法解释科学与宗教之间、每个领域内或跨文化之间的信仰差异。相反，证词的可变性是本体论信念的主要驱动力。我们提供基于证词的信念的发展证据，并阐明其影响背后的机制。