This book presents a broad philosophical study of the nature of spirituality and its relationship to human well-being, addressing an area of contemporary philosophy that has been largely underexplored. David McPherson brings together a team of scholars to examine the importance of specific spiritual practices (including prayer, contemplation, and ritual observance) and spiritually informed virtues (such as piety, humility, and existential gratitude) for 'the good life'. This volume also considers and exemplifies how philosophy itself, when undertaken as a humanistic rather than scientistic enterprise, can be a spiritual exercise and part of a spiritual way of life. Clarifying key concepts, and engaging with major religious traditions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Confucianism, this book will appeal to students and scholars from various disciplines, including theology, sociology, and psychology, as well as to philosophers, ethicists, and other readers who are interested in modern spiritual life.
Introduction David McPherson; 1. Philosophy, religion, and spirituality John Cottingham; 2. The problem of impiety Cora Diamond; 3. The virtue of piety Robert C. Roberts; 4. Homo religiosus: does spirituality have a place in neo-Aristotelian virtue ethics? David McPherson; 5. Desire and the spiritual life Fiona Ellis; 6. Between heaven and earth: sensory experience and the goods of the spiritual life Mark R. Wynn; 7. The Jewish Sabbath as a spiritual practice Samuel Fleischacker; 8. The power of the spoken word: prayer, invocation, and supplication in Islam Mukhtar H. Ali; 9. Aristotelian friendship and Ignatian companionship Karen Stohr; 10. Starting with compassion Richard White; 11. Identifying with the Confucian heaven: immanent and transcendent Dao May Sim; 12. Agnostic spirituality John Houston.
