Experiments in Mystical Atheism: Godless Epiphanies from Daoism to Spinoza and Beyond

Ziporyn (Chinese religion, philosophy, and comparative thought, Univ. of Chicago Divinity Sch.; Emptiness and Omnipresence) brings a unique perspective to the philosophy of atheism. Rather than rehashing traditional arguments against the existence of a higher power, his assertions are based on the works of Baruch Spinoza, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Georges Bataille, along with concepts from Daoism and Buddhism. Nothing in this book is surface-level; rather, all avenues of thought are delved into deeply and explored and discussed in a scholarly manner that is intensely relatable with no vestige of intellectual snobbery. Ziporyn invites readers to consider perspectives they may not have been previously exposed to, and therefore learn and grow in unexpected ways. The philosophical details are profound and may seem intimidating to some readers, but Ziporyn encourages them to investigate the featured theories.