Martini questions how a secular morality can remain absolute without a transcendent foundation. He challenges Eco to explain where a non-believer finds the strength to sacrifice themselves for a higher cause if there is no eternal life or divine purpose.
The question has evolved into a broader cultural inquiry about how we navigate a pluralistic society:
(translating to "What do those who do not believe, believe in?" ) refers to a profound dialogue between two of Italy's greatest intellectuals: the late semiotician and novelist Umberto Eco and the former Archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini . ГЋn ce cred cei care nu cred?
Originally published as a series of exchanges in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera , it was later compiled into a celebrated book. Core Themes of the Dialogue
Eco argues that a "non-believer" (an atheist or agnostic) can still possess a deep moral sense. He suggests that morality can be rooted in the human body and our shared vulnerability. Because we all feel pain and require the recognition of others to exist as social beings, we can derive a "natural" ethics of empathy and respect without needing a God to enforce it. Martini questions how a secular morality can remain
Some commentators suggest that those who "don't believe" often simply have a different, perhaps more "sophisticated" or "schematic" image of what faith should be, sometimes confusing it with strict obedience to dogma.
The discussion centers on the possibility of a "secular ethics"—a moral framework that does not rely on divine revelation but still upholds the dignity of life and common good. Originally published as a series of exchanges in
Ultimately, the work by Eco and Martini suggests that even for those who reject religion, "believing" remains an inescapable human act—whether it is belief in logic, human rights, or the inherent value of the person standing next to us. În ce cred cei care nu cred? - Editura Polirom