Spanning five decades, Charles Murray’s scholarly works focus on social policy, education, and the roots of high achievement. His recent books are clear examples of accessible social science, aimed at deepening our understanding of what fosters human flourishing. For those familiar with Murray, might come as a surprise. Instead of providing a sociological or historical analysis of religion’s significance, he shares his personal journey as a student of religious questions. He offers something akin to a course of study for those who may need encouragement to explore the subject.
Unhappy with his progress on a more conventional memoir, a friend suggested that his personal search for truth would make far more compelling reading. An atheist or agnostic for most of his life, a man who suffers “from a perpetual deficit in spirituality,” Murray realized that his starting point with the subject resembles that of millions of other “well-educated and successful people for whom religion has been irrelevant.”
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