Religiosity and Mental Presuppositions

An Interview with the Quarterly Journal Brain and Cognition
Iranian Cognitive Sciences and Technologies Development Headquarters
Interviewer: Yasaman Safaei

Do mental presuppositions help us in life, or do they limit us? This is one of the questions raised by Sasan Habibvand, a psychologist, lecturer, and author in the field of philosophy and mysticism. Mr. Habibvand’s work is particularly focused on philosophical psychology, a field where concepts such as identity, worldview, spirituality, mind, and ethics are interconnected with human emotion and behavior.

This researcher also has numerous studies and works on mysticism and Rumi studies, aiming to make mystical teachings accessible and beneficial through rational application.
In this issue, we spoke with Mr. Habibvand about the relationship between mental presuppositions and human beliefs and convictions. We now share this engaging conversation with you.

1. Mr. Habibvand, greetings, and thank you for agreeing to this interview. I’ll ask my questions one by one.
2. Greetings and respect to you and the readers of Brain and Cognition. Sue. Please go ahead.
3. Why do we need mental presuppositions or self-evident beliefs? How do these foundational beliefs shape our daily lives?
4. Our minds encounter hundreds of stimuli throughout the day and need to process and interpret them to respond appropriately. To do this, the mind develops presuppositions or self-evident beliefs—pre-existing, underlying assumptions that are not themselves questioned or reviewed, yet serve as a basis for understanding and categorizing other phenomena.

Presuppositions help us simplify complex realities and make quick decisions without having to continuously reassess everything. However, a problem arises when these presuppositions reject or “repel” anything that does not align with their nature or structure. This is what we refer to as dogmatism, closed thinking, or rigidity.

1. Could you give a few examples of how presuppositions function in everyday life?
2. Certainly. Take the simple act of setting your alarm each night so you can wake up and go to university in the morning. You don’t ask yourself each time: What is a clock? What does going to university mean? Why should I set an alarm?You act based on presuppositions—you’ve accepted these things as self-evident, and that helps your behavior remain quick and effective.

Or, if your child faces a problem, you don’t pause to ask: What is a child? What is parenting? Why should I help? You act instantly, based on taken-for-granted beliefs.

Likewise, while driving, you don’t constantly ask yourself: Which pedal is the gas? Which is the brake? When do I shift gears? Through practice, this knowledge becomes embedded as skill-based presuppositions, freeing your attention to focus on the road or listen to music while driving.

1. What shapes these mental presuppositions?
2. Our presuppositions are formed through a blend of personal experiences, upbringing, and cultural and societal norms. Gradually, we internalise these assumptions and use them as a foundation for understanding and acting in the world.
3. Is it possible to live without any presuppositions?
4. Living without any presuppositions would make daily functioning not impossible, but extremely slow and difficult. So, the existence of presuppositions is not a problem in itself—they’re necessary. What matters is being aware and active in relation to them: recognising when certain beliefs—despite their traditional, cultural, or practical value—need to be questioned or updated.

For example, if your class schedule changes to the afternoon next week, you’ll need to revise your alarm-setting routine. If not, the alarm will no longer help you—it will disrupt your schedule. Similarly, helping your child might become excessive and unproductive, leading to dependency. In that case, the presupposition “I must always help my child” needs to be reassessed and adjusted.

1. How do religious and belief-based presuppositions shape our understanding of the world? In Iranian society, how do they affect critical thinking and personal growth?
2. Belief-based presuppositions provide us with moral and spiritual frameworks, giving us a sense of meaning, direction, and belonging. In Iran, and similar historically traditional societies, religious teachings, family customs, and social expectations are deeply ingrained and exert a strong influence on the collective mindset.

If these presuppositions are not revisited and examined, they may weaken the habit of critical inquiry and reduce a person’s capacity for questioning and analysis.
This, in turn, hinders intellectual and personal growth, as people may lose the ability to challenge outdated norms or embrace new perspectives.

1. Why are belief-based presuppositions often more rigid? Why is it so frightening to question them?
2. One common mistake is to think presuppositions are purely mental or intellectual constructs. In fact, many are emotional and affective in nature.
   Beliefs related to identity, respect, homeland, religion, God, or sanctity are not just pieces of information—they are deeply tied to our emotions. This emotional attachment causes strong resistance when these beliefs are challenged, leading to defensive reactions.

Q How can we live a spiritual and meaningful life without falling into cognitive and emotional biases?

In general, a person should not simply surrender to the dominant culture or common behaviors around them. Rather, they must take an active role in shaping the meaning and method of their own life. This is what I call rational spirituality—a form of spirituality based on deliberation, awareness, and logical coherence.

Not a spirituality that crushes intellect and reason in the name of ethics and virtue—because that only produces individuals who are blind, ignorant, and potentially dangerous.

1. What are the practical steps toward such a way of life?

An aware individual flies with both wings of compassion and reason. This means that even while being committed to transcendence and spirituality, they constantly question and reassess their beliefs to ensure that their values remain rational and humane. Through study, self-reflection, questioning, and openness to diverse perspectives, one can lead a rich and meaningful lifewhile avoiding self-centeredness and cognitive traps that hinder personal development.
The key is to maintain a questioning and flexible mind while progressing on a path of growth and spirituality.

Thank you.