Guy Bennett-Hunter

Dr. Guy Bennett-Hunter is a philosopher affiliated with the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh, serving as Executive Editor of the Expository Times, a leading religious studies journal. His academic background includes a PhD from the University of Cambridge and roles at Durham, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh universities. Specializing in existential phenomenology, philosophy of religion, and aesthetics, he explores ineffability, religious experience, and the intersection of theology with art and language. Bennett-Hunter holds Fellowships with the Royal Society of Arts and the British Psychological Society, reflecting his interdisciplinary contributions. His research bridges philosophy, theology, and psychology, with recent work analyzing interreligious communication, divine ineffability, and the sacred’s pre-theistic roots. Over 25 publications span books, articles, and edited volumes, addressing topics from Wittgensteinian fideism to the legacy of Ronald W. Hepburn. His clinical work as a Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in forensic settings further highlights his commitment to applying philosophical insights to human well-being.

Education:

• PhD, University of Cambridge (2011)
• MSc (Distinction), Psychology, University of East London (2020)
• MA (Distinction), Philosophy, University of Durham (2008)
• BA (Hons.), Philosophy and Theology, University of Durham (2006)

Research Interests:

• Ineffability in religious and mystical contexts
• Phenomenology of existential experience
• Aesthetic and theological interpretations of the sacred
• Interreligious dialogue and Wittgensteinian philosophy

Recent Work: His 2024 report on Cornel West’s Gifford Lectures and 2019 analyses of interreligious communication exemplify his engagement with contemporary philosophical and theological debates. His edited volume on Ronald W. Hepburn (2018) underscores his role in advancing interdisciplinary scholarship.