NEUROTHEOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE: A NEW EPISTEMOLOGICAL APPROACH IN COGNITIVE RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Abstract

The article examines neurotheology as an interdisciplinary scientific field formed within the framework of cognitive religious studies, aimed at analyzing the impact of religious experience on human consciousness from a scientific perspective. This field lies at the intersection of religious studies, psychology, and neurobiology. The main objective of the article is to analyze the neurobiological foundations of religious experience and to provide a scientific explanation of the relationship between human spiritual experiences and brain function. In addition, the study reviews scientific works focused on the effects of meditation, prayer, and spiritual states on psychological conditions and the neurophysiological system of individuals. The research employs methods such as analysis of contemporary scientific literature, comparative study, and systematization. As a result, neurotheology is identified as a new scientific direction that allows religious experience to be understood not only from theological or philosophical perspectives but also on a neurobiological basis. The findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive study of human spiritual experience in religious studies and provide a foundation for the further development of neurotheology as a scientific discipline.