What is Atheistic Spirituality? An Analysis

Abstract

This paper explores the phenomenon of atheist spirituality by analyzing several exemplary accounts (by Ronald Dworkin, Thomas Metzinger, André Comte-Sponville, and Robert Solomon). Based on this analysis, I then try to develop a coherent concept of atheist spirituality. This analysis shows that atheist spirituality is a kind of intentional attitude towards reality as a whole; that it is evaluative; that it has a specific emotional quality; and that it has a noetic character. The central insight at the root of atheist spirituality is that our natural attitude to our Self is wrong and must be transformed. While religious and nonreligious types of spirituality are related, religious beliefs are neither necessary nor sufficient for a spiritual attitude.