The Religious Sense

Abstract

The Religious Sense is a philosophical and theological exploration of the fundamental human search for meaning. Drawing from years of dialogue with students, Luigi Giussani argues that every person possesses an innate “religious sense,” expressed through universal desires for truth, goodness, beauty, and fulfillment.

Rather than treating religion as irrational or purely emotional, Giussani presents it as rooted in human reason properly understood—not as narrow logical calculation, but as an openness to reality in all its dimensions. He contends that these deep human needs naturally lead individuals to confront life’s ultimate questions and to seek answers beyond themselves.

The book challenges reductionist views of religion and emphasizes self-awareness, experience, and moral engagement as key to understanding faith. By reframing religion as intrinsic to human nature, Giussani offers a compelling account of how the quest for meaning can lead toward religious belief and encounter with the divine.