John Cottingham – The Return of the Sacred

Anagoge Podcast

John Cottingham is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Reading and an Honorary Fellow of St John's College, Oxford. Renowned for his work on Descartes, moral philosophy, and the philosophy of religion, he has authored over thirty books, including The Spiritual Dimension, Why Believe?, and Philosophy of Religion: Towards a More Humane Approach. His scholarship bridges analytic rigor with a deep concern for the emotional and spiritual dimensions of human life.

His latest book is In Search of the Soul: A Philosophical Essay: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691174426/in-search-of-the-soul

In this episode, we explore Cottingham's call for a more 'humane' philosophy of religion—one that acknowledges the roles of emotion, ritual, and embodied practice in shaping belief. He critiques the overly abstract methods of contemporary philosophy and argues that genuine understanding of the sacred requires engaging the full range of human experience. We discuss how rituals and worship practices can be seen not merely as symbolic acts but as vital expressions of our search for meaning and connection.​

We also cover the interplay between science and spirituality, examining how a scientific worldview can either harm or coexist with a sense of the transcendent. Cottingham shares insights on the human longing for the good and how this desire points beyond material explanations, inviting a reevaluation of the role of religion in modern life.

Timestamps: 0:00:00 - Introduction 0:02:59 - Cottingham's Philosophical Journey & "Humane Perspective" 0:06:39 - Philosophy's Accessibility & Bridging the Gap for Non-Specialists 0:12:38 - The Starting Points of Religion 0:17:19 - Critiquing Scientism & the Need for a Broader Epistemology 0:25:33 - Grappling with Christian Doctrine vs. Science 0:38:49 - The Nature of "The Good": Platonic vs. Christian Conceptions 0:49:10 - The Necessity of Religious Practice 0:54:17 - Psychedelics and Spirituality 1:04:05 - Cottingham's Career Reflections 1:08:14 - Closing Remarks

My new book: "In Search of the Infinite - A Psychedelic Memoir":

https://amzn.eu/d/8MM0JhE

If you would like to connect with me on Instagram, you can do so at @tiagobooks