Philosophy of Mysticism

Richard H. Jones is the author of several books, including Mysticism Examined: Philosophical Inquiries into Mysticism, also published by SUNY Press.

"…this book presents an interesting overview of the philosophical issues concerning mysticism, and is an important contribution to the philosophy of mysticism." — H-Net Reviews (H-Judiac)"...superb … one of the very best books out on the philosophy of mysticism." — Reading Religion"This is a significant extension of the seminal work by Walter Stace, Mysticism and Philosophy. That work has stimulated much literature, all of which Jones manages to review here. He critically extends Stace's universal core and embeds it in a sophisticated discussion of the extent, range, and metaphysical implications of mysticism." — Ralph W. Hood, Jr., coauthor of The Psychology of Religion: An Empirical Approach

• PrefacePostmodernist ConcernsMethodological IssuesThe Analytical Philosophical Approach1. Mysticism and Mystical ExperiencesMystical ExperiencesMystical PathsExtrovertive Mystical ExperiencesMindfulnessIntrovertive Mystical ExperiencesDepth-Mystical ExperiencesMystical EnlightenmentA Typology of Mystical ExperiencesWeighting Mystical Experiences2. Mystical Knowledge and Religious Ways of LifeExperience and KnowledgeAre There Genuine Mystical Experiences?Attribution TheoryThe Depth-Mystical Experience and Its ConceptualizationsMystical Experiences and Mystical Ways of LifeConstructivismNonconstructivismConstructivism and the Depth-Mystical ExperienceCan the Constructivism Dispute be Resolved?The Possibility of Mystical Insight3. Are Mystical Experiences Cognitive?Can Nonmystics Judge the Veridicality of Mystical Experiences?What Can Mystics Claim to Know?Mysticism and EmpiricismThe Principle of CredulityThe Analogy to Sense-PerceptionProblems of Justifying Specific Doctrinal ClaimsThe Limitation of Any Mystical Claim to KnowledgeCan Mystical Knowledge-Claims Be Compared?Do Mystical Knowledge-Claims Genuinely Conflict?Can One Mystical System Be Established as Best?Is It Rational to Accept Mystical Knowledge-Claims?"Properly Basic Beliefs"Ultimate Decisions4. The Scientific Study of Mystics and MeditatorsScientific Study Versus Mystical PracticesAre New Theories of the Mind Needed?Can Mystical Experiences Be Studied Scientifically?Scientific Explanations of Mystical ExperiencesSociocultural Explanations of Mystical ExperiencesExplaining Away Mystical ExperiencesProblems with Sociocultural ExplanationsProblems with Physiological ExplanationsDo Natural Triggers Produce Mystical Experiences?Natural Phenomena and Mystical InsightsThe Compatibility ProblemApplying Occam’s RazorOur Epistemic SituationIs Naturalism or a Transcendent Alternative More Plausible?The Neutrality of Science5. Mysticism and MetaphysicsMystical MetaphysicsThe Status of the WorldThe Nature of Transcendent RealitiesConsciousnessThe SelfThe Question of Mystical UnionMysticism and the Closure of Mystery6. Mysticism and LanguageIneffabilityThe Mirror Theory of LanguageAnd Yet Mystics Continue to TalkAn AnalogySilencePositive Characterizations of Transcendent RealitiesMystical Utterances and KnowledgeNegationDefending Mystical Discourse7. Mysticism and RationalityRationality and Styles of ReasoningParadoxResolving ParadoxesUnderstanding the ParadoxicalNagarjuna’s ReasoningMysticism and the Question of Universal Reason8. Mysticism and ScienceScientific and Mystical Approaches to RealityAn AnalogyBeingness and ScienceMystical Experience Versus Scientific Measurement and TheorizingIndirect Avenues of AidScience, Mysticism, and the Natural WorldThe Difference in ContentScience and Mystical MetaphysicsComplementarityReconciling Mysticism and Science9. Mysticism and MoralityThe Basic Question of CompatibilityAre Mystics Necessarily Moral?Mystical Selflessness and the Presuppositions of MoralityEmotions, Values, and Beliefs"You Are That"A Metaphysics of Wholeness and MoralityFactual Beliefs, Values, and Mystical Experiences"Beyond Good and Evil"Will Any Actions Do?Mystical Decision-MakingMystical Selflessness and MoralityEpilogue: The Demise of Mysticism TodayThe Antimystical Climate TodayAccepting Mysticism TodayA Mystical Revolution?A Thirst for TranscendenceNotesReferences and Further ReadingIndex