Part 2/15:
Vaknin begins by asserting that rationality and logic, while powerful tools, often fall short when confronting life's emotional and existential depths, such as grief or loneliness. These experiences evoke a need for narratives—stories or beliefs that provide purpose and comfort. He explains, "These beliefs are not grounded in facts but in narrative; they help us make sense of reality and imbue life with meaning."
This innate need to find purpose explains why humans develop beliefs in the supernatural, paranormal, and religious. These narratives foster a sense of belonging and understanding in a universe that, from a purely rational standpoint, appears indifferent or even hostile.