A Quest for Spirituality in 20th Century America
Graduation Date
Fall 2002
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Program Name
Humanities
First Reader
Harlan Stelmach, PhD
Second Reader
Jeffrey Nishimura, PhD
Abstract
The United States, in the second part of the twentieth century, is characterized to a great extent by the existence of many new spiritual movements, particularly those of non- western origins. This thesis looks at the relationship between wealth and spirituality in the United States. It argues that the popularity of spirituality is a response to a void created by the market oriented, individualistic, and utilitarian values of the American society. It plans to demonstrate that in their attempt to fill this void with spirituality, Americans are often inclined to chose a spirituality compatible with their values of consumerism and individualism.
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