Naturalism and Spirituality: The Need of Expanding the Concept of Sustainability

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Sammanfattning

A naturalistic view should make us appreciate the rich possibilities of nature. This naturalistic point of departure, as formulated by Willem B. Drees, invites reflection on the relationship between nature and spirituality. Today, the concept of sustainability occupies a key role in what has come to be the greatest challenge ever that humankind has faced together at the same moment in history. Usually, sustainability is described as a three-dimensional term: ecological, economic and social sustainability. The concept of sustainability has been critiqued because it seems to build on continuity instead of calling for radical change, discontinuity and conversion. I argue that the concept should be expanded rather than dismissed. Spiritual sustainability is introduced as a fourth dimension. It can contribute in multiple ways to identity, habit, mood, method, content and attitude. Referring to the biblical story of the Canaanite women (Matthew 15) this article describes a spirituality of resilience, co-existence and hope that surpasses notions of optimism and pessimism.
Originalspråkengelska
Titel på värdpublikationScience, Religion, the Humanities and Hope
Undertitel på värdpublikationEssays in Honour of Willem B. Drees
RedaktörerAnne Runehov, Michael Fuller
UtgivningsortCham
FörlagSpringer
Sidor103-113
Antal sidor11
ISBN (elektroniskt)978-3-031-52292-5
ISBN (tryckt)978-3-031-52291-8
DOI
StatusPublished - 2024

Publikationsserier

NamnIssues in Science and Religion: Publications of the European Society for the Study of Science and Theology
FörlagSpringer
Volym8
ISSN (tryckt)2364-5717
ISSN (elektroniskt)2364-5725

Ämnesklassifikation (UKÄ)

  • Religionsvetenskap
  • Idé- och lärdomshistoria
  • Tvärvetenskapliga studier

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