Episode Details

What can I know? What must I do? What may I hope?

These questions, originally formulated by philosopher Immanuel Kant, are some of the most essential ones that we ask. Attempting to answer them can take a lifetime, if we can answer them at all.

On this episode, we’re featuring an interview with Christopher Beha, the novelist and former editor of Harper’s Magazine whose new book, Why I Am Not an Atheist: The Confessions of a Skeptical Believer, offers an account of how he has grappled with these same questions. 

Beha grew up Catholic, but became a committed atheist in college after his twin brother was nearly killed in a car accident, and he himself was diagnosed with a serious illness. 

Beha’s journey through rival forms of atheism—scientific materialism and romantic idealism—and the experience of falling in love ultimately led him back to Catholicism.

Here, shares why he believes Catholicism offers a complete and coherent picture of reality.

For further reading: 

• Costica Bradatan on the emotional history of atheism

• Rand Richards Cooper speaks with Beha about his novels

• George Scialabba on the romantic poets