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​Three Types of Process Philosophy


​Speculative, Experiential, 
 and Mathematical

"The elucidation of immediate experience is the sole justification for any thought; and the starting-point for thought is the analytic observation of this experience.

Whitehead, Alfred North. Process and Reality (Gifford Lectures Delivered in the University of Edinburgh During the Session 1927-28) (p. 4). Free Press. Kindle Edition. 

If I tell a story without showing how it illustrates "big ideas," am I being philosophical? If I explore "big ideas" without relating them to immediate experience, am I being philosophical? If I present the logical structures that, in my view, represent the essence of reality, am I being philosophical? From the perspective of process philosophy, the answer is Yes to all three. All are philosophical. All are forms of wisdom. Process philosophy has three traditions: experiential, speculative, and mathematical.

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Process philosophy encompasses three distinct yet interconnected approaches: speculative-metaphysical, empirical-experiential, and mathematical-logical. These approaches can be imagined as the points of a triangle, each representing a unique perspective within the broader framework of process thought.

• Speculative process philosophy explores and develops Alfred North Whitehead’s metaphysical system, exploring its implications for theology, science, and ethics. This approach can be compared to the speculative systems of philosophers like Leibniz and Spinoza, who sought to construct comprehensive metaphysical frameworks. addressing the nature of reality, the divine, and the interconnectedness of all things. Often its mode of expression is in abstract ideas or "principles" of a prosaic, Latinate construction.
• Experiential process philosophy emphasizes lived experience, drawing from Whitehead’s insights into creativity, feeling, ambiguity, and beauty. This approach aligns with the traditions of phenomenology and existentialism, focusing on the richness of first-person experience. Often its mode of expression is narrative, poetic, and artistic media.
• Mathematical process philosophy highlights Whitehead’s use of symbolic logic as a precise language to articulate the deep structures underlying reality. It can be compared to the work of philosophers and scientists like Bertrand Russell and Kurt Gödel, who used formal systems and mathematical reasoning to probe foundational questions about logic, structure, and the nature of existence. Often its mode of expression is in terms of symbolic logic or mathematical theorems.

Warrant for each of these approaches can be found in Whitehead's diverse writings. People engaging with process philosophy can position themselves anywhere inside this conceptual triangle, gravitating toward one approach or balancing all three in unique ways. This flexibility allows for a rich and dynamic interplay of ideas, offering diverse and complementary perspectives on the fundamental questions of existence.

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I draw these three types from an essay by Delwin Brown and Sheila Greeve Davaney titled Three Types of Process Theology: Empirical, Speculative, and Rationalist. The authors associate John Cobb and David Ray Griffin with the speculative approach, Bernard Meland and Bernard Loomer with the empirical approach, and Charles Hartshorne with the mathematical (or logical) approach, which they refer to as "rationalist." Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses. The wisdom of the process tradition is that it includes, and makes space for, all three.

The Three Approaches

strengths and weaknesses
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Process philosophy can be understood as encompassing three distinct yet interrelated types, which we might think of as forming the vertices of a triangle. Each type offers a unique orientation within the broader field of process thought, while remaining dynamically connected to the others. Each tradition has its strengths and weaknesses, contributing to the richness and diversity of process philosophy.

However, a common danger among process philosophers (and theologians) is to think that one of the three types is "the real thing" and the others are imitations. This may be especially true when speculative and mathematical process philosophers compare their approaches to the empirical, viewing it as insufficiently rigorous or systematic. Conversely, empiricists may disparage speculative and mathematical process philosophy as insufficiently grounded in lived experience. The key is to make space for all three traditions, recognizing their interdependence and valuing the unique contributions of each.

The first type is speculative process philosophy, exemplified by thinkers like John Cobb and David Griffin. This approach is deeply interested in Alfred North Whitehead's metaphysical worldview, particularly as articulated in Process and Reality. Strengths of speculative process philosophy include its capacity for offering a comprehensive, systematic vision of reality that integrates diverse dimensions of existence, including theology, science, and ethics. Weaknesses may include its complexity and abstraction, which can make it less accessible or immediately relevant to practical concerns and lived experience.

The second type is empirical process philosophy, represented by figures such as Bernard Meland and Bernard Loomer. This approach is less focused on Whitehead’s metaphysical system or theological claims and more attentive to the insights that process thought brings to the study of lived experience. Empirical process philosophy draws on Whitehead's insights into creativity, contrast, feeling, beauty, and process, and resonates strongly with the phenomenological and existentialist traditions of continental thought. Like phenomenology, it emphasizes the richness of lived experience; like existentialism, it addresses questions of meaning, freedom, and authenticity. Strengths of empirical process philosophy lie in its groundedness and its ability to illuminate the everyday. Its weaknesses may include a tendency to underplay or dismiss metaphysical frameworks, potentially limiting its capacity to address larger, abstract questions about the nature of reality.
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The third type is mathematical process philosophy, which prioritizes Whitehead’s use and development of symbolic logic as a tool for understanding the nature of reality. This approach is primarily concerned with Whitehead’s mathematical and logical contributions, treating them as a language for exploring the deep structures of existence. Strengths of mathematical process philosophy include its precision and its potential to uncover fundamental patterns and structures underlying existence. Its weaknesses may include a lack of emphasis on theological, ethical, or experiential dimensions, which can make it seem detached from the practical and existential concerns of human life.

The Wider World

The question at hand is: Where will these three types of process philosophy be shared in the wider world, given that Whitehead is not often taught in departments of philosophy in many parts of the world?

Speculative process philosophy might find a home in theology, religious studies, or interdisciplinary programs exploring metaphysical and ecological thought.

Empirical process philosophy, with its links to phenomenology and existentialism, could resonate in psychology, education, and the arts, offering practical insights into creativity, emotional depth, and social interaction.

​Mathematical process philosophy may thrive in mathematics, computer science, and theoretical physics, where its logical rigor and formal structures can address fundamental questions about the universe’s deep patterns.

For process philosophy to thrive, it must adapt to these diverse contexts, forming bridges between academic disciplines, cultural traditions, and real-world applications. Each tradition has a unique role to play in shaping how process thought contributes to global conversations on meaning, ethics, and the nature of existence.