Abstract
Throughout history, philosophers have sought foundational principles capable of sustaining the coexistence of diverse spiritual traditions. This paper traces a historical trajectory from Thomas Aquinas to Voltaire to Sam Harris, highlighting how each thinker—despite differences in context and intent—proposed religious foundations that could resonate across cultural boundaries. Aquinas, in the Summa contra Gentiles, argued that certain truths about God and morality are accessible through reason, offering a framework intelligible beyond Christian communities. Voltaire, in his Dictionnaire philosophique, promoted deism as a minimal, rational religion capable of uniting humanity while preserving local traditions. Harris, in contemporary discourse, envisions a “religion of reason” grounded in science and human well-being, providing a secular foundation for universal spiritual practices. The paper situates these proposals in dialogue with indigenous spiritualities, arguing that universal foundations need not erase cultural specificity. Instead, they can create a shared horizon for coexistence and mutual respect. To illustrate this, the paper analyzes case studies including Amazonian animism, Maori cosmology, and Navajo spiritual practices, demonstrating how local ontologies and rituals can flourish within a broader framework of rational or moral universals. Ultimately, this study suggests that the historical search for universal religious foundations offers valuable insights for contemporary global pluralism. By bridging diverse traditions without imposing uniformity, such foundations support the flourishing of indigenous spiritualities while fostering dialogue, ethical engagement, and ecological awareness across cultural boundaries.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentes, Voltaire, Dictionnaire philosophique, Sam Harris
