Michael Shermer, in his text “How We Believe – The Search For God In An Age Of Science,” points out [pg.73] that when “greater” scientists [in this case being members of The National Academy Of Sciences] were questioned about belief in God factoring in doubt or agnosticism….”actual belief in God among eminent scientists (averaged over all fields) was a paltry 7 percent.” I wonder, and offer for comment, as to why the 7% [whom I suspect can reasonably be assumed to be at least as brilliant and immersed in “The Scientific Method” and “Rationalism”] as the rest of their colleagues, are able to accept the concept of
a God?
It seems to me that such acceptance may require that they be in possession of a different mental state from that under which they practice their science in order to be able to do so. How can this be explained?
I offer as a possibility that this ability may ensue as a Dissociative Behavior.
DISSOCIATION: I personally favor the simple Psychological definition offered by my old Websters New World Dictionary namely, “the process in which a mental activity breaks away from the main stream of consciousness and functions
as a separate unit.” A pathologic example of Dissociation would be a case of
” Multiple Personality.”
Is it possible that God acceptance by the 7% represents a manifestation of
another Personality? A Personality, unfettered by those Scientist’s usual professional rational behavior, which is also a compartmentalized altered state of mind that allows for their acceptance of a God concept?