Slater's writings have increasingly emphasized process-relational approaches to reality derived from the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead, contemporary cosmology, complexity theory, emergence studies, and open-relational theology. His later work has focused on the development of a philosophical framework known as Embodied Process Realism (EPR) and the multi-part Reality & Cosmology Series, an extended exploration of ontology, identity, meaning, consciousness, and metaphysics.
Intellectual Influences
Slater's work draws heavily upon the process philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead and subsequent developments within process theology. Other recurring influences include contemporary discussions in emergence theory, complexity science, cosmology, consciousness studies, and open-relational approaches to theology and metaphysics.
Throughout his writings, Slater has explored the relationship between scientific understandings of reality and religious interpretations of existence, often arguing that philosophy, science, and theology should remain in ongoing dialogue rather than being treated as separate domains of inquiry.
Relevancy22
In 2009, Slater launched Relevancy22, an online publication devoted to the exploration of religion, philosophy, science, ethics, and culture. The site contains essays, book studies, commentaries, poems, diagrams, educational resources, and long-form philosophical projects.
Over time, the blog evolved from a primarily theological focus toward broader investigations of ontology, cosmology, emergence, process philosophy, and contemporary philosophical questions.
Major themes addressed on the site include:
- Process Philosophy
- Process Theology
- Open and Relational Theology
- Science and Religion
- Cosmology
- Consciousness Studies
- Metamodernism
- Democracy and Ethics
- Artificial Intelligence
- Biblical Studies and Religious History
Major Projects
Among Slater's largest projects are a number of multi-part philosophical and theological series.
Reality & Cosmology Series
The Reality & Cosmology Series is an extended philosophical investigation into the nature of reality. Organized across multiple sections and essays, the project examines questions concerning ontology, relation, coherence, embodiment, persistence, identity, value, meaning, consciousness, directionality, and metaphysics.
The series eventually served as the foundation for the development of Embodied Process Realism.
Evolution of Worship and Religion
This series traces the historical development of religious thought from prehistoric spirituality and early civilizations through classical philosophy, Christianity, modernity, and contemporary religious reflection.
Jonah Series
The Jonah Series applies ontological and process-relational themes to the biblical Book of Jonah. The project explores identity, rupture, descent, transformation, and reconciliation through both narrative and philosophical lenses.
Post-Whiteheadian Project
Slater has described a long-term effort to extend and reinterpret Whiteheadian process philosophy in light of contemporary developments in science, cosmology, emergence theory, consciousness studies, and cultural change.
Embodied Process Realism
During the development of the Reality & Cosmology Series, Slater began formulating a philosophical framework known as Embodied Process Realism (EPR).
EPR proposes that reality is fundamentally relational and that increasingly complex forms of existence emerge through a sequence of relation, coherence, embodiment, persistence, identity, meaning, and directionality. The framework was formally summarized in the Embodied Process Realism Manifesto (2026).
Selected Themes
Recurring themes in Slater's writings include:
- Reality as relational rather than atomistic
- Emergence and complexity
- Embodiment and persistence
- Consciousness and participation
- Open futures and non-deterministic directionality
- The relationship between science and theology
- Process-relational approaches to ethics and culture
Legacy and Continuing Work
Slater's ongoing projects continue to explore the intersection of ontology, metaphysics, cosmology, theology, and cultural development. His later writings increasingly focus on the philosophical implications of emergence, participation, consciousness, artificial intelligence, and open-ended cosmological becoming.
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