Diana L Eck

Diana L. Eck is a distinguished scholar of religious studies, holding the Fredric Wertham professorship of law and psychiatry in society and a professorship in comparative religion and Indian studies at Harvard University. Her academic career also includes roles such as former faculty dean of Lowell House and director of The Pluralism Project at Harvard. Eck's scholarly contributions span various aspects of religious studies, with a particular focus on India and the evolving religious landscape of the United States. She has authored several influential books exploring these themes.

Raised in Montana, Eck's background is Methodist Christian. Her academic journey led her to earn degrees from Smith College and the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, culminating in a Ph.D. from Harvard University in the comparative study of religion. Her research has increasingly focused on the nature of religious diversity in America, leading to the establishment and direction of The Pluralism Project. This project aims to understand the implications of the nation's growing religious diversity for its pluralist experiment. Eck's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Humanities Medal.

Diana L. Eck is a prominent scholar in the field of religious studies, affiliated with Harvard University where she holds significant professorial roles. Her expertise lies in comparative religion and Indian studies, contributing to departments such as South Asian Studies and the Committee on the Study of Religion. A key initiative she directed is The Pluralism Project, established in 1991. This project meticulously examines the expanding religious diversity within the United States and its implications for American society. Through affiliations with numerous educational institutions globally, the project has produced significant resources, including guides to religious communities in Boston and multimedia presentations on world religions in America, aiming to foster understanding across diverse traditions.

Eck has developed a nuanced concept of religious pluralism, distinguishing it from mere diversity. For her, pluralism is an active and energetic engagement with religious differences, rather than simply the existence of multiple faiths. She outlines three primary responses to religious diversity: exclusivism (one's own way is the only way), inclusivism (one's own way is the better way, though others may have partial truth), and pluralism. Eck's pluralism is characterized by an active seeking of understanding across differences, a commitment to dialogue, and the encounter of deeply held commitments, rather than a form of relativism. This framework has significantly influenced the interfaith movement.

Eck's scholarly work has garnered significant recognition, including the Grawemeyer Award in Religion, the National Humanities Medal for her contributions to understanding religious pluralism in the United States, and the Martin Marty Award for the Public Understanding of Religion. Her research and publications, particularly her book 'A New Religious America,' explore how the United States has transformed into one of the world's most religiously diverse nations. She has also been involved in international religious dialogue, serving on advisory committees and delivering influential lectures, such as the Gifford Lectures on 'The Age of Pluralism.'

“Pluralism is not diversity alone, but the energetic engagement with diversity”

“Pluralism is not tolerance, but the active seeking of understanding across lines of difference”

“Pluralism is not relativism, but the encounter of commitments”

“Pluralism is based on dialogue.”