Philosophize This! Episode #240 ... Varieties of Religion Today (Charles Taylor)
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Nov 8, 2025 Explore the nuanced views of Charles Taylor on modern spirituality and the evolution of religious belief. Delve into the contrasts between individual transcendence versus immanence. Discover how religion has shifted from communal obligations to personal choices in today's culture. Unpack the implications of privatized faith and its risks. Join the discussion on modern spiritual practices like meditation apps as substitutes for traditional religion and the fragility of belief in a pluralistic society.
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Religion As Personal Experience
- William James defines religion as a personal, transcendent experience rather than institutional practice.
- Charles Taylor agrees this captures modern intuition but calls it overly narrow compared to religion's social roles.
Monk Example Shows Embedded Meaning
- Taylor compares a Dominican monk's context to a modern person to show how embedded cosmologies prevent doubt.
- The monk dismisses meaninglessness as temptation because his culture presupposes cosmic meaning.
Religion As Social Glue
- Emile Durkheim describes religion as the social glue that builds collective solidarity.
- Taylor uses Durkheim to show religion also functions structurally, not only individually.
