S. Payne – författare

Among Anglo-American philosophers, interest in mysticism has typically been limited to the question of whether or not mystical and religious experi­ ences provide evidence for, or knowledge of, the existence and nature of God. Most authors conclude that they do not, because such experiences lack certain qualities needed in order to be counted as cognitive. In this study I examine some current philosophical opinions about mysticism and objec­ tions to its epistemic significance in the context of a detailed study of the writings of a single mystical author, the Spanish Carmelite Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591). I argue that from his works one can draw a coherent theory of what takes place in the Christian mystical life, and will indicate how acceptance of this theory might be defended as rational through a type of inference often referred to as the "Argument to the Best Explanation. " In this way I hope to show that mysticism still has a significant bearing on the justification of religious faith even if it cannot be used to "prove" the exis­ tence of God. The nature and advantages of my own somewhat unusual approach to mysticism can perhaps best be explained by contrasting it with the way other authors have dealt with the subject. One of the most striking develop­ ments in recent decades has been the growing fascination with mysticism, meditation, and the experiential aspects of religion.

More than 20 years ago, researchers documented increased levels of antibiotic resistant bacteria as a result of water treatment processes including disinfection. Under controlled conditions, sublethal exposures of bacteria to disinfectants can result in altered and often reduced susceptibility to other antimicrobials, including antibiotics. In addition to disinfectants and their by-products, bacteria in drinking water are subject to several, almost continuous, ecological stressors that include nutrient depletion/starvation, metals from pipe corrosion, and microbial competition/predation.? The major objective of this project was to understand the potential mechanisms of anti-microbial resistance of E. coli and opportunistic pathogens under disinfection conditions that are relevant to drinking water distribution systems. The research was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions and at the field level to provide closer approximations to the microbiological reactions in distributions systems. The project involved molecular techniques to understand genetic changes in microbial population in response to different disinfectant conditions. The researchers recommend implementing UV light as a primary disinfectant with chlorine-based secondary disinfection to enhance removal of heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria due to synergistic effects and the previously established added benefit of a wider range of bacteria and protozoa inactivated (i.e., chlorine-resistant pathogens such as Cryptosporidium parvum).? Utilities will benefit from high reductions in HPC bacteria and lower formation of biofilm in the distribution systems. There would also be potential for lower contact times (CTs) required for chlorine-based disinfectants with UV light pre-treatment to achieve higher reductions than chemical disinfectant alone at high CT. However, utilities would not be able to depend on UV pre-treatment to lower required dosages of chlorine-based disinfectant to maintain minimum residual concentrations. The researchers also recommend that UV light not be used as the primary and only disinfection because bacteria counts actually increased with UV-treated water when no residual protection was supplied.

Among Anglo-American philosophers, interest in mysticism has typically been limited to the question of whether or not mystical and religious experi­ ences provide evidence for, or knowledge of, the existence and nature of God. Most authors conclude that they do not, because such experiences lack certain qualities needed in order to be counted as cognitive. In this study I examine some current philosophical opinions about mysticism and objec­ tions to its epistemic significance in the context of a detailed study of the writings of a single mystical author, the Spanish Carmelite Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591). I argue that from his works one can draw a coherent theory of what takes place in the Christian mystical life, and will indicate how acceptance of this theory might be defended as rational through a type of inference often referred to as the "Argument to the Best Explanation. " In this way I hope to show that mysticism still has a significant bearing on the justification of religious faith even if it cannot be used to "prove" the exis­ tence of God. The nature and advantages of my own somewhat unusual approach to mysticism can perhaps best be explained by contrasting it with the way other authors have dealt with the subject. One of the most striking develop­ ments in recent decades has been the growing fascination with mysticism, meditation, and the experiential aspects of religion.