agenticity

In addition, as evolved social creatures, we have brains that are attuned to trying to discern the intentions of others—and we look for patterns, there, too, and then try to infuse them with human intention and meaning, or what Mr. Shermer calls "agenticity."

A Trick Of the Mind Ronald Bailey 2011

"Even belief that the government can impose top-down measures to rescue the economy is a form of agenticity," the author says.

A Trick Of the Mind Ronald Bailey 2011

Knowing what Shermer knows about "patternicity" and "agenticity" may not make all that much difference.

Glenn C. Altschuler: Godspells Glenn C. Altschuler 2011

Knowing what Shermer knows about "patternicity" and "agenticity" may not make all that much difference.

Glenn C. Altschuler: Godspells Glenn C. Altschuler 2011

Knowing what Shermer knows about "patternicity" and "agenticity" may not make all that much difference.

Glenn C. Altschuler: Godspells Glenn C. Altschuler 2011

Knowing what Shermer knows about "patternicity" and "agenticity" may not make all that much difference.

Glenn C. Altschuler: Godspells Glenn C. Altschuler 2011

In previous columns I have provided partial answers, citing patternicity (the tendency to find meaningful patterns in random noise) and agenticity (the bent to believe the world is controlled by invisible intentional agents).

Boing Boing 2009

I call these two processes patternicity (the tendency to find meaningful patterns in both meaningful and meaningless data) and agenticity (the tendency to infuse patterns with meaning, intention and agency).

Why Belief in God Is Innate Michael Shermer 2010

I call these two processes patternicity (the tendency to find meaningful patterns in both meaningful and meaningless data) and agenticity (the tendency to infuse patterns with meaning, intention and agency).

Why Belief in God Is Innate Michael Shermer 2010

Gods are agents and agents are essences, and agenticity is everywhere.

Why Belief in God Is Innate Michael Shermer 2010