Alternative Conceptions of the Spiritual: Polytheism, Animism, and More in Contemporary Philosophy of Religion

Analytic philosophy of religion and philosophical theology are known for being focused on issues pertaining specifically to Judeo-Christian theism. This volume answers the call for novel work on a broader range of ideas about the spiritual, engaging with key concepts and neglected recent literature from other traditions.

Alternative Conceptions of the Spiritual engages with polytheism, animism, panspiritism and theophanism as propounded by recent philosophers and members of lesser-known spiritual traditions and new religious movements. Summarizing and assessing their core ideas and arguments with both clarity and sympathy, Dumsday combines respectful dialogue with logical rigour. Providing an accessible introduction to a rich and nuanced set of traditions largely overlooked in contemporary philosophical scholarship, the work will be welcomed by philosophers, theologians and students of new religious movements.

Travis Dumsday is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Concordia University of Edmonton, USA. Prior to that, he was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Livingstone College, North Carolina. His research interests are in the philosophy of science, metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and the medieval period.