Neuroeconomics and ‘the’ special relationship

‘Something tells me that within ten years, by 2010, the entire digital universe is going to seem like pretty mundane stuff compared to the new technology that right now is but a mere glow radiating from a tiny number of American and Cuban (yes, Cuban) hospitals and laboratories. It is called brain imaging and anyone who cares to get up early and catch a truly blinding twenty-first-century dawn will want to keep an eye on it...If I were a college student today, I don't think I could resist going into neuroscience. Here we have the two most fascinating riddles of the twenty-first century: the riddle of the human mind and the riddle of what happens to the human mind when it comes to know itself absolutely.’ —Tom Wolfe, Hooking Up (2000)

There is an area of research that makes use of brain imaging in an attempt to understand the mutual-reliance of economics and its neighbours psychology, sociology, anthropology – Neuroeconomics.

Within this field there is a ‘hunch’ that despite different types of decisions are made using multiple areas in the brain a common neural currency exists within the workings of the human mind that is at the heart of all decisions we make. Where the same data is available the individuals neuro-fingerprint enables a set of perceptions to develop which are shaped by beliefs and values. Further the research is showing that context within which decisions are arrived is key; for example a state of uncertainty or fear.

Herd behaviour appears to be fuelled by the fact that our brains are highly social and look for external input to aid the decision making process in relation to such extenuating contexts.

I wondered about this in relation to my faith and my relationships with those around me. The spirit as my common currency with others on the journey, but my individual ‘neuro-fingerprint’ (the collection of teaching, experience, values etc) giving me a unique take on the challenges for the christians in the Twenty First Century. I wondered about the ‘herd instinct’ of certain groups of Christians and their perception of a ‘special relationship’ with God, and how that ‘God’s on my side’ attitude can lead to an isolationist approach that doesn’t recognise input from ‘people of peace’ out there in the ‘real’ world.

I wonder whether the current context of uncertainty and fear will 'find out' the local church, or will we be being stoned with the migrant worker rather than standing by holding coats?

Will neuroeconomic theory be blown apart by the staggering capacity of faith to bring about the most unlikely transactions?

I do hope so!