Path Dependence

Although the social science term "path dependence" is generally applied to economics, after reading John McWhorter's contribution to the most recent Edge question book This Will Make You Smarter I have considered a new application. Reading in the first paragraph, "'Path dependence' refers to the fact that often something that seems normal or inevitable today began with a choice that made sense at a particular time in the past but survived despite the eclipse of its justification, because, once it had been established, external factors discouraged going into reverse to try other alternatives", the institution of religion immediately came to mind. This basic summary of the term fits religion very well. There seems to be a rather large percent of believers who are so more out of habit/tradition than out of any serious thought or conviction.

The institution itself is built largely on unfounded beliefs and the force of habit. Religion may have served a useful purpose in the past but has long since outlived any such usefulness. Virtually every positive attribute ascribed to religion is not innately religious. All the benefits can be gained from other sources with far fewer potential negative side-effects. Perhaps if religion were thought of in terms of path dependence it may help some believers break free of religions' authoritarian trap.