1 Understanding possibilities in science and religion.

This paper is one of a series exploring phenomena at the mental-spiritual interface using a constructivist model. Topics include grace and epiphanies, empowerment in learning, uncertainty and tolerance, spiritual moments, wonder, and with James Rhodes modelling faith-uncertainty in human games. Continuing this theme, here my concern is with reasoning about possibilities in science and religion. Representations of mental process within the constructivist model appear to suggest that mental models improve with time and experience. Bayesian models of human reasoning maintain that “prior ” information plays a crucial role in what people find acceptable in their thinking (Economist, 2006); and recent work using Bayesian modelling suggests that causal concepts are acquired early in childhood (Gopnik et al. (2004). Recent work on children’s developing understandings highlights the importance of untested testimony and so shows similarities in the ways children may acquire secular and religious concepts. Access to early causal templates supported by cultural testimony provides a ready mechanism for children to seek a First Cause. Key word