Psychology of Superheroes: Mind Reading, Mirror Neurons, and Theology
What can superheroes teach us about being human? The Psychology of Superheroes is an interesting book that relates superhero powers to everyday human beings. In this video, Adam discusses the superhero power of mind reading. William Ickes, professor of psychology at the University of Texas in Arlington, claims that science is not able to prove humans can read other's minds the way superheroes can, but that we can infer what others are thinking. We can do that consciously when we listen and try to understand others, and when we interpret body language. We also infer what others are thinking and feeling through mirror neurons - nerve cells in the brain that fire when we perform an action and when we see others perform the action. Mirror neurons unconsciously mimic the actions other's perform - it's as if we are performing them too. What does all this mean for theology? Jesus, on the cross, says, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." The anthropological truth is that, because of mirror neurons, we are unconscious of many of the things we do. But Jesus offers a way of consciously offering forgiveness to others. Jesus offers forgiveness in imitation of God and invites us to do the same.