ABSTRACT
The contemporary understanding of spirituality as a construct distinct from religion is emerging as a significant influence in social, academic, and professional contexts. Contemporary philosophy is however not only influenced by modern notions of spirituality but also by its very nature contributing to the development of spirituality. There is a long history of philosophical engagement with questions that bear on the central concerns of spirituality: those of finding meaning, value, and purpose in life and personal action.
This chapter discusses philosophy’s relationship with spirituality, how spirituality provides new opportunities for philosophy to bring science to bear on its long-standing open questions, and how the findings of those studies could in turn impact the development of spirituality. It indicates some of the ways in which progress is currently being made with such investigations and suggests future directions such developments might take.
