Autism and Religious Beliefs: Clues from Kafka Research.
Jerry Stuger
Journal of autism and developmental disorders April 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3858-5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| 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 Kafkaesque Kierkegaard Perspective-taking Self-awareness The self |
| Key findings | 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.