Pluralism and a Spirituality of the (Im)possible
The relationship between pluralism and spirituality is explored in the context of a specific understanding of humanism, developed by the political philosopher William Connolly. He uses the term ‘entangled humanism’ to express his ecological view on how humans relate to other forms of being, stressin...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-03-01
|
| Series: | Religions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/3/373 |
| _version_ | 1797609207737876480 |
|---|---|
| author | Hans A. Alma |
| author_facet | Hans A. Alma |
| author_sort | Hans A. Alma |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The relationship between pluralism and spirituality is explored in the context of a specific understanding of humanism, developed by the political philosopher William Connolly. He uses the term ‘entangled humanism’ to express his ecological view on how humans relate to other forms of being, stressing the need for an attitude of partnership and care in the face of ecological crisis. To realize this non-anthropocentric form of humanism, we need our creativity and imagination, and a spiritual affinity characterized by openness and a commitment to shared goals. According to Connolly, we need a deep pluralism in which people are ready to defend their creed in public while realizing a productive ethos of political engagement with others of different convictions. We need to find one another in imaginative ideas and creative actions with regard to problems that confront us all and that are so urgent as to force us to collective action. According to Connolly, in working together, a connecting spiritual affinity can emerge. This view is elaborated upon with the help of John Dewey’s notions of moral imagination and religious trust, understood here as key elements of an entangled humanism. The article closes by describing a spirituality of the (im)possible that can be a source of inspiration for an entangled humanism that really makes a difference in our complex but rich world. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:58:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-70f466fddd1e42929af7f13b058ce149 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:58:18Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-70f466fddd1e42929af7f13b058ce1492023-11-17T13:36:45ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442023-03-0114337310.3390/rel14030373Pluralism and a Spirituality of the (Im)possibleHans A. Alma0Faculty of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The NetherlandsThe relationship between pluralism and spirituality is explored in the context of a specific understanding of humanism, developed by the political philosopher William Connolly. He uses the term ‘entangled humanism’ to express his ecological view on how humans relate to other forms of being, stressing the need for an attitude of partnership and care in the face of ecological crisis. To realize this non-anthropocentric form of humanism, we need our creativity and imagination, and a spiritual affinity characterized by openness and a commitment to shared goals. According to Connolly, we need a deep pluralism in which people are ready to defend their creed in public while realizing a productive ethos of political engagement with others of different convictions. We need to find one another in imaginative ideas and creative actions with regard to problems that confront us all and that are so urgent as to force us to collective action. According to Connolly, in working together, a connecting spiritual affinity can emerge. This view is elaborated upon with the help of John Dewey’s notions of moral imagination and religious trust, understood here as key elements of an entangled humanism. The article closes by describing a spirituality of the (im)possible that can be a source of inspiration for an entangled humanism that really makes a difference in our complex but rich world.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/3/373entangled humanismdeep pluralismmoral imaginationreligious trustspirituality of the (im)possible |
| spellingShingle | Hans A. Alma Pluralism and a Spirituality of the (Im)possible Religions entangled humanism deep pluralism moral imagination religious trust spirituality of the (im)possible |
| title | Pluralism and a Spirituality of the (Im)possible |
| title_full | Pluralism and a Spirituality of the (Im)possible |
| title_fullStr | Pluralism and a Spirituality of the (Im)possible |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pluralism and a Spirituality of the (Im)possible |
| title_short | Pluralism and a Spirituality of the (Im)possible |
| title_sort | pluralism and a spirituality of the im possible |
| topic | entangled humanism deep pluralism moral imagination religious trust spirituality of the (im)possible |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/3/373 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hansaalma pluralismandaspiritualityoftheimpossible |