Agent detection
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Agent detection is the inclination for animals and humans to presume the purposeful intervention of an intelligent agent in situations that may or may not involve an intelligent agent.
[edit] Evolutionary origins
It is believed that humans evolved agent detection as a survival strategy. In situations where one is unsure of the presence of an intelligent agent (such as an enemy or a predator), there is survival value in assuming its presence so that precautions can be taken. For example, if a human came across an indentation in the ground that might be a lion's footprint, it is advantageous to err on the side of caution and assume that the lion is present.
[edit] Role in religion
Some scientists believe that the belief in creator gods is an evolutionary by-product of agent detection (See spandrel). An evolutionary spandrel is a non-adaptive trait formed as a side effect of an adaptive trait. Like the lion's footprint, the world itself appeared to be designed and, therefore, humans eventually came to the conclusion that intelligent entities, or gods created it.
