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Deific Perception and the Visual Experience of the Divine

· via link.springer.com

Deific Perception and the Visual Experience of the Divine

In a paper published in the International Journal for Philosophy of Religion in 2026, philosopher Hamid Nourbakhshi investigates whether human visual experience can track deific properties. The author argues that visual perception can directly represent features such as being a creation of God, a manifestation of divine beauty, or a site of divine self-revelation. To defend this thesis of deific perception, the study employs Susanna Siegel’s method of phenomenal contrast.

Nourbakhshi further argues that deific perception carries significant epistemic consequences. By allowing individuals to visually perceive divine attributes within the world, this perceptual process can potentially offer prima facie justification for theistic beliefs. For scholars interested in the philosophy of religion and esoteric traditions, these findings present a theoretical framework for how direct sensory experiences are claimed to anchor sacred awareness and spiritual insight.

Common Questions

What does the paper argue about visual perception?
The paper argues that visual perception can directly represent divine properties, such as being a creation of God, a manifestation of divine beauty, or a site of divine self-revelation.
Does the paper claim that deific perception proves the existence of God?
The paper does not claim to prove God’s existence. It argues that deific perception can potentially offer prima facie justification for theistic beliefs, but it does not assert that this justification is conclusive.