Understanding UAPs: Surveying the Nature-Spirits Hypothesis

The literature on UFOs / UAPs has seen much discussion concerning the central ontological question: on the rational assumption that we are dealing with something objectively real (i.e., not just the product of delusion or misperception or deception etc.), what are we dealing with? A basic taxonomy of options can readily be constructed, with the initial division consisting of a split between naturalist theories (i.e., theories compatible with metaphysical naturalism) and non-naturalist theories (i.e., theories incompatible with metaphysical naturalism). Naturalist theories held sway within early ufology, especially the extraterrestrial hypothesis. However, dissenting non-naturalist voices gradually gained ground from the late 1960s onward, and today a variety of such theories receives sustained discussion. These utilize ideas derived from major world religions, from the history of philosophy, and even from recent developments in analytic metaphysics and philosophy of religion. My principal aim in this short paper is to provide an accessible overview and preliminary assessment of one important non-naturalist theory of UAP ontology: animism.