A Joyfully Serious Man

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Robert Bellah (1927-2013) was a pivotal social scientist whose work transcended traditional boundaries to explore religion as a cultural phenomenon and a means to understand the human condition. This biography presents a comprehensive portrait of Bellah, detailing his adventurous yet tumultuous life. Utilizing Bellah's personal papers and extensive interviews, Matteo Bortolini narrates an extraordinary scholarly journey marked by significant challenges. Bellah faced exile during the McCarthy era, endured personal tragedies, and navigated complex aspects of his sexuality. He viewed religion as a profound human institution that unites diverse individual and collective experiences. Bortolini highlights Bellah's advocacy for intellectual openness and innovation, particularly his rejection of the idea that secularization signifies a decline in religion. He also examined the ongoing tensions between individualism and community in American society. Drawing from nearly two decades of research, this biography offers an insightful look at a transformative thinker and passionate seeker who left a lasting impact on modern intellectual life.