(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 .
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 ГЋn ce cred cei care nu cred?
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. (translating to "What do those who do not
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. Eco argues that a "non-believer" (an atheist or
In modern philosophy, this often leads to discussions on "negative" vs. "positive" atheism—the difference between simply lacking belief and explicitly asserting that no deity exists.