Overview

A new approach to the theism-scientism divide rooted in a deeper form of atheism. Western philosophy is stuck in an irresolvable conflict between two approaches to the spiritual malaise of our times: either we need more God (the ""turn to religion"") or less religion (the New Atheism). In this book, Brook Ziporyn proposes an alternative that avoids both totalizing theomania and meaningless empiricism. What we need, he argues, is a deeper, more thoroughgoing, even religious rejection of God: an affirmative atheism without either a Creator to provide meaning or finite creatures in need of it—a mystical atheism. In the legacies of Daoism and Buddhism as well as Spinoza, Nietzsche, and Bataille, Ziporyn discovers a critique of theism that develops into a new, positive sensibility—at once deeply atheist and richly religious. Experiments in Mystical Atheism argues that these ""godless epiphanies"" hold the key to renewing philosophy today.

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9780226831329

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Reviews

"“Experiments in Mystical Atheism is a brilliant and challenging meditation on and critique of monotheism. In it, Ziporyn demonstrates how those of us without the ‘God gene’ need not suffer a lack of spiritual depth or meaning. This book is an impressive example of how Chinese dialogue with Western thought can contribute to a mature religious worldview.” -- Joseph A. Adler, Kenyon College “This provocative manifesto is written for the ‘mystically minded but God-intolerant.’ In abandoning the idea of a transcendent Person who provides our lives with purpose, Ziporyn articulates an ‘atheistic mysticism’ that reconciles the finite with the infinite and that promises to be as liberating as it is demanding.” -- Bret W. Davis, Loyola University Maryland “In his hair-raising and ambitious case against God, Ziporyn avoids tired atheist arguments. Instead, heart on his sleeve, he seeks to show that God, as a concept, is the antithesis of exuberant meaning, sublime experience, and expansive love. Thoreau once said that true philosophers had been replaced by professors of philosophy; Ziporyn is here to prove him wrong."" -- Alan Levinovitz, James Madison University “A rare foundational and beautiful book, Experiments in Mystical Atheism presents an alternative to the master narratives of sovereignty that still dominate contemporary thought. Rather than a crude rehash of ‘rational’ or moral argument, Ziporyn’s deep atheism builds on Daoism, Buddhism, Spinoza, and Nietzsche to unfold the utter contingency and purposelessness of existence.” -- Hans-Georg Moeller, University of Macau"

“Experiments in Mystical Atheism is a brilliant and challenging meditation on and critique of monotheism. In it, Ziporyn demonstrates how those of us without the ‘God gene’ need not suffer a lack of spiritual depth or meaning. This book is an impressive example of how Chinese dialogue with Western thought can contribute to a mature religious worldview.” -- Joseph A. Adler, Kenyon College “This provocative manifesto is written for the ‘mystically minded but God-intolerant.’ In abandoning the idea of a transcendent Person who provides our lives with purpose, Ziporyn articulates an ‘atheistic mysticism’ that reconciles the finite with the infinite and that promises to be as liberating as it is demanding.” -- Bret W. Davis, Loyola University Maryland “In his hair-raising and ambitious case against God, Ziporyn avoids tired atheist arguments. Instead, heart on his sleeve, he seeks to show that God, as a concept, is the antithesis of exuberant meaning, sublime experience, and expansive love. Thoreau once said that true philosophers had been replaced by professors of philosophy; Ziporyn is here to prove him wrong."" -- Alan Levinovitz, James Madison University “A rare foundational and beautiful book, Experiments in Mystical Atheism presents an alternative to the master narratives of sovereignty that still dominate contemporary thought. Rather than a crude rehash of ‘rational’ or moral argument, Ziporyn’s deep atheism builds on Daoism, Buddhism, Spinoza, and Nietzsche to unfold the utter contingency and purposelessness of existence.” -- Hans-Georg Moeller, University of Macau

Author Information

Brook Ziporyn is the Mircea Eliade Professor of Chinese Religion, Philosophy, and Comparative Thought in the Divinity School at the University of Chicago. He is the author and translator of many books, most recently Daodejing.

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