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

Contemporary 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 a novel work on a broader range of ideas about god(s), engaging with key concepts and neglected recent literature from other traditions on their own accord. Alternative Conceptions of the Spiritual engages with polytheism, henotheism, pandeism, cosmopsychism, world-soul ontologies, animism and theophanism as propounded by recent philosophers and by members of lesser-known non-western faith communities, new religious movements, and esoteric groups. Treating the topics with comparative philosophical exploration and assessment, Travis Dumsday brings Christian doctrines, specifically from an Eastern Orthodox perspective, into dialogue with these alternative viewpoints. A rich and nuanced understanding of non-traditional and contemporary notions of deities, it will be welcomed by scholars of analytic philosophy of religion and theology. 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. Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Polytheism Chapter 3: Animism Chapter 4: Panspiritism Chapter 5: Theophanism Chapter 6: Conclusion Glossary Notes References Index