New Books Network Hans Van Eyghen, "The Epistemology of Spirit Beliefs" (Routledge, 2023)
Jan 3, 2026
In this engaging discussion, Hans Van Eyghen, an Assistant Professor specializing in religious epistemology, delves into the intriguing realm of spirit beliefs outlined in his book, The Epistemology of Spirit Beliefs. He argues for the epistemic justification of these beliefs, linking them to personal experiences like mediumship and possession. Van Eyghen also differentiates spirit beliefs from traditional theistic views, highlighting how they can coexist. He critiques scientific discrediting of spirit experiences, asserting their validity across cultures. A thought-provoking exploration into the mind and beliefs!
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Spirits Deserve Philosophical Attention
- Philosophers often ignore non‑God supernatural beliefs despite rich cross‑cultural evidence of spirits and similar beings.
- Hans Van Eyghen argues spirit beliefs deserve the same epistemic scrutiny as theistic beliefs because they are widespread and philosophically relevant.
What 'Spirit' Means Cross‑Culturally
- 'Spirit' is a broad category across traditions, distinct from the supreme God and often lower in power or perfection.
- Van Eyghen highlights cross‑cultural types like angels, djinn, yaksha, and demons to clarify the category.
Experiences Can Justify Spirit Beliefs
- Religious experiences provide a general epistemic route to supernatural belief when not defeated by undermining reasons.
- Van Eyghen contends experiences of spirits can grant justification similarly to experiences of God.