Spiritual Exercises for a Secular Age: Desmond and the Quest for God

In "A Secular Age," Charles Taylor calls for "new and unprecedented itineraries" to encounter God. Ryan G. Duns demonstrates that William Desmond's philosophy offers a compelling response through the lens of Pierre Hadot's view that philosophy is not just about providing abstract answers but forming the human being to approach reality in a new way. Duns frames Desmond's metaphysical thought as a form of spiritual exercise, which attunes readers to perceive the divine in the everyday. This approach can transform how readers behold reality by revealing the presence of God in all things. "Spiritual Exercises for a Secular Age" is a valuable contribution to theology and philosophy, appealing to readers in continental philosophy, theology, and religious studies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2020
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

In his book "A Secular Age," Charles Taylor confronts the challenges posed by contemporary skepticism and calls for new and unprecedented spiritual itineraries that can lead individuals to encounter God. In response to this call, Ryan G. Duns explores the potential of William Desmond's philosophy to provide a compelling response. Duns utilizes the insights of Pierre Hadot, who posits that philosophy's ultimate goal is not merely to impart knowledge but to shape the human being in such a way that they can approach reality in a new and transformative way.

Drawing on Hadot's perspective, Duns frames Desmond's metaphysical thought as a form of spiritual exercise. By doing so, Duns argues that Desmond's metaphysics attunes its readers to perceive the divine presence in the ordinary. This approach encourages readers to study Desmond's metaphysics with a renewed attentiveness to discern the presence of God, who can be sought and disclosed through all things in the world.

Through his exploration of Desmond's philosophy, Duns demonstrates how practicing metaphysics can be a means of spiritual renewal and growth. He shows how metaphysics can help individuals cultivate a deeper sense of awe, wonder, and reverence for the world around them, and how it can enable them to live more fully in the present moment. By engaging with Desmond's metaphysical ideas, readers are invited to explore the depths of their own spiritual experiences and to find meaning and purpose in their lives.

"Spiritual Exercises for a Secular Age" is a valuable contribution to the field of theology and philosophy. It offers a readable and engaging introduction to the thought of Charles Taylor and William Desmond, and demonstrates how practicing metaphysics can be understood as a form of spiritual exercise that renews in its practitioners an attentiveness to God in all things. As a unique contribution at the crossroads of theology and philosophy, it will appeal to readers in continental philosophy, theology, and religious studies broadly.

Weight: 688g
Dimension: 157 x 235 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268108137