Call for Papers

Editors:

• Dr. Stefano Sbalchiero - Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35123 Padova, Italy
• Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Giordan - Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35123 Padova, Italy

This Special Issue, titled “Engaged Spiritualities: Theories, Practices, and Future Directions”, aims to delve into the concept of engaged spiritualities (Stanczak, 2006), analyzing it from both theoretical and practical perspectives as well as through its contemporary manifestations. It seeks to foster an interdisciplinary dialogue, encouraging critical and innovative reflections on the influence of spiritualities across various domains of human life, including religious, philosophical, ethical, political, and scientific spheres.

We are seeking articles that address the following themes:

• Theoretical Approaches: How are engaged spiritualities conceptualized (Giordan, 2007; Heelas & Woodhead, 2005) across different fields of study, such as theology, philosophy, social sciences, natural sciences, and religious studies? What emerging theories help explain the role of engaged spiritualities in a rapidly changing world?
• Interdisciplinary Perspectives: What are the connections between spiritualities and fields such as sociology, psychology, history, and anthropology, as well as areas like social justice, human rights, environmental sustainability, and ethics? What are the implications of engaged spiritualities for the sciences, particularly in terms of ethical reflection on technological and scientific progress?
• Practices: What are concrete examples of engaged spiritualities in today’s world? How can these practices contribute to social, political, and cultural change? What initiatives, projects, or movements embody spiritualities that actively engage with global challenges?
• Spiritual Yearning: In what ways are deep human needs for meaning and transcendence influenced by scientific and technological discoveries, and how do science and technology address this tension? Conversely, how does spiritual yearning shape scientific inquiry, and how might scientific progress further influence or deepen spiritual seeking?
• Future Directions: What are the challenges and opportunities for engaged spiritualities in the face of global crises (environmental, health-related, economic, etc.)? How can different spheres—religious, political, and scientific—contribute to shaping new forms of spiritualities to address these pressing issues?

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

For more information, click here.