Lo místico en el discurso religioso. Ejemplos de la ensayística rioplatense

The essay examines how the term 'mysticism' is used ambiguously in Rio de la Plata essay writing, where each author applies it to different realities without reference to official doctrine. Drawing on Foucault's definition of discourse and comparing works by Eliade, Otto, James, and Protestant positions, the analysis shows that while the mystical path typically involves a leap into the unknown, these writers present multiple perspectives. Their texts reveal intuitions about the ineffable nature of spiritual experience, which is then translated into personal experience and social practice (orthopraxy) at the national level.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This study begins with a definition of discourse from Foucault’s perspective, then proceeds to explore various meanings of the notion of ‘mysticism’ in works ranging from Eliade and canonical authors such as Otto and James to Protestant positions. In Rio de la Plata essay writing, the use of the term ‘mysticism’ is rather ambiguous, as each author – without reference to the official and readily accessible doctrine – uses the label to describe realities of a different kind. While the mystical path generally involves a leap into the unknown, the selected authors present multiple perspectives on the mystical. Their texts reveal certain intuitions concerning the ineffable nature of spiritual experience, which is later translated into personal experience and social practice (orthopraxy) at the national level.