A philosopher looks at the religious life Cover Image

Book

A philosopher looks at the religious life / Zena Hitz.

Hitz, Zena, 1973- (author.).

Summary:

"What is happiness? Does life have a meaning? If so, is that meaning available in an ordinary life? The philosopher Zena Hitz confronted these questions head-on when she spent several years living in a Christian religious community. Religious life -- the communal life chosen by monks, nuns, friars, and hermits -- has been a part of global Christianity since earliest times, but many of us struggle to understand what could drive a person to renounce wealth, sex, children, and ambition to live a life of prayer and sacrifice. Hitz's lively and accessible book explores questions about faith, sacrifice, asceticism and happiness through philosophy, stories, and examples from religious life. Drawing on personal experience as well as film, literature, history, biography, and theology, it demystifies an important element of contemporary culture, and provides a picture of human flourishing and happiness which challenges and enriches modern-day life"-- Provided by publisher.

Record details

ISBN: 9781108995016
ISBN: 1108995012
Physical Description: xxiv, 194 pages ; 20 cm.
Publisher: Cambridge, United Kingdom ; Cambridge University Press, 2023.
Copyright: ©2023

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 178-183) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:	Introduction: renunciation and happiness -- The call -- Blessed are the poor -- Intimacy with God -- The family of humanity -- Abandonment and freedom -- Conclusion: the last things.