Autism and Religious Beliefs: Clues from Kafka Research.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders April 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3858-5 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractBy examining Franz Kafka's life and writings as a case study, this analysis suggests that high-functioning autistic individuals may experience and express religious beliefs differently from non-autistic people. Kafka's philosophical-religious texts offer insight into the cognitive inner states associated with autism, potentially revealing distinct patterns in how autistic persons engage with faith and spirituality. This perspective aims to deepen understanding of both the varieties of religious experience and the cognitive style of high-functioning autism, offering new avenues for exploring autism and religion.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | High-functioning autistic persons (via Franz Kafka as a case study) |
| Keywords | Asperger syndrome Autism and religion Autistic cognitive style Franz kafka High-functioning autism |
| Key finding | Kafka's biography and writings suggest that autistic and non-autistic persons may experience and express religious beliefs differently. |
Abstract
Religious beliefs and faith in high-functioning autistic persons are analyzed by discussing the work and biography of Franz Kafka. It enables researchers to differentiate between how autistic and non-autistic persons experience and express religious beliefs and spiritual issues because Kafka as an autistic person also wrote about these topics in his philosophical-religious writings. This Franz Kafka case study provides additional inner (cognitive) state input to better understand high-functioning autism. This contribution with new and different perspectives to the field of autism and religious beliefs could help to explore the varieties of religious experience and cognition, and to improve our insights in high-functioning autism.