My goal is to break the boundaries between spirituality and academic contemplation, by rethinking 'spirituality' and its place in the modern world.
As a PhD Candidate in Sociology, I consider how social forces compose us as persons. I am particularly interested in the impact of cultural meaning-systems on our sense of self. I see modern individualism and instrumental rationality as two major forces that have been eating away at our communal ties and sense of meaningful relationships with others. I go against the current 'anti-foundational' sentiments in the humanities by agreeing with Victor Frankl's conviction that human beings fundamentally a need for a sense of purpose outside of oneself
I've been writing this blog since my fourth year in undergrad, and it has come quite a ways. Originally titled "Atheist Spirituality" I decided to change the name to more accurately reflect my position. My line of thinking builds on the ideas of 'religious humanism'. Although I am largely drawing on Christian and Jewish thinkers, I use the word 'spiritual' rather than 'religious' to designate that my thinking goes beyond the institution of religion.
Although I see value in institutionalized religious practice, I think most of these existing institutions are becoming increasingly passionless -- or dangerously passionate to the point of fanaticism -- since they have lost touch with their spiritual roots. In this sense, I am in line with kirkegaard when he condemns the masses of religious people who unthinkingly go through the motions of institutionalized practice. What I think has been lost, particularly in the modern era, is a focus on a deep love of the other, and what this concept means in terms of our interpersonal relations.
Aristotle held that fundamental to every human striving is the desire for happiness. I agree with this, but think that it is deeply tied to ones sense of purpose, and this purpose is ultimately found in loving communion with others. These are the concepts that form the basis of my contemplation of a spiritual humanism.
