Freeing Mysticism
Stance: an international undergraduate philosophy journal September 25, 2019 DOI: 10.33043/s.12.1.74-85 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Key points | Argues that the criteria proposed by William Alston and Richard Swinburne for judging whether mystical experiences are veridical each have shortcomings, and proposes an alternative set of criteria based on the subject's religious tradition, rationality, and affectivity. |
Abstract
With the growth of epistemology, an important debate in philosophy of religion has arisen: can mystical encounters—purported feelings of intense unity with the divine—serve as epistemic warrants? In this paper, I examine two of the most prominent and promising standards by which to determine the veridicality of such encounters—those of William Alston and Richard Swinburne—and demonstrate their respective strengths and shortcomings. Considering these shortcomings, I compose and defend my own set of criteria to use in evaluating the veridicality of putative mystical experiences which draws upon the subject’s religious tradition, rationality, and affectivity.