معرفی
Neil Van Leeuwen is a Professor of Philosophy at Florida State University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University and specializes in theoretical philosophy of mind, action, and cognitive science. His research explores belief formation, imagination, and the cognitive underpinnings of religious and cultural practices. Notably, he authored Religion as Make-Believe (2023), which examines religious credence through a make-believe framework. His work bridges philosophy with empirical research in anthropology, neuroscience, and psychology, often featured in outlets like The New York Times and The New Yorker.
Research focuses include cognitive attitudes of belief, the interplay of volition and evidence in belief formation, and cross-cultural studies of linguistic distinctions between 'think' and 'believe'. Recent studies investigate psychedelics' impact on visual processing and belief systems, as well as agency detection mechanisms in virtual reality environments.
Van Leeuwen collaborates with international researchers to analyze religious cognition, group identity dynamics, and rationality. His contributions span interdisciplinary dialogues on topics like self-deception, cognitive flexibility, and the philosophical implications of neuroscience findings. While no specific grants or lab affiliations are listed, his work emphasizes empirical engagement with contemporary cognitive science methodologies.
