The study of mystical experiences and Latour’s ontological turn: toward a participatory approach
Philosophical Psychology May 24, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/09515089.2025.2506542 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism Mystical experience |
| Keywords | Epistemology Citizen journalism Cognitive science World wide web |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key points | Argues that Latour's concepts provide a participatory framework for studying mystical experiences that avoids the pitfalls of perennialism and constructivism. |
Abstract
This article argues that Latour’s concepts of actor-networks and modes of existence make room for a different participatory approach to mystical experiences (MEs), as well as religious experience more broadly, that interprets them as participatory events rather than as the inner experiences of an isolated subject. This alternative Latourian approach to MEs neither assumes the a priori presence or absence of an ontological referent to those experiences, nor does it defer the ontological question. Section one gives a historical overview of the academic study of MEs, introducing the approaches of perennialism and constructivism. Section two lays out the various philosophical problems with both these approaches. Section three describes Latour’s notions of actor-networks and modes of existence. Two of his modes of existence, beings of transformation and beings of religion, will be further elucidated. The discussion will consider in which ways a participatory approach can make a difference in the academic study of MEs.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on mystical experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Religious and Mystical Experiences as Artifacts of Temporal Lobe Function: A General Hypothesis | 1983 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Psychedelic Mystical Experience in the Human Encounter with Death | 1969 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Vectorial Cerebral Hemisphericity as Differential Sources for the Sensed Presence, Mystical Experiences and Religious Conversions | 1993 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The epistemic innocence of psychedelic states. | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mystical Experience and Religious Doctrine | 1982 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The Role of Psychedelics in Contemporary Psychological and Interdisciplinary Inquiry. Journal of Personalized Medicine September 28, 2025
- Understanding mystical experiences through the lens of entropy: introduction to the special issue on ‘mystical entropy’ Philosophical Psychology April 27, 2026
- Beyond the Mystical Experience Model: Theurgy as a Framework for Ritual Learning with Psychedelics Religions November 8, 2025
Cites 17
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- The entropic brain: a theory of conscious states informed by neuroimaging research with psychedelic drugs Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2014
- Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later Journal of Psychopharmacology May 30, 2008
- Psychedelics alter metaphysical beliefs. Scientific Reports November 23, 2021
- The Problem of Pure Consciousness March 29, 1990
and 12 more in the library