Nonordinary States of Consciousness as a Problem of Philosophy
P. A. Gordeyev
Izvestiya of Saratov University. Philosophy. Psychology. Pedagogy 2013 DOI: 10.18500/1819-7671-2013-13-3-15-21 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that nonordinary states of consciousness differ phenomenologically from "altered states of consciousness" and are connected to going beyond the limits of usual empirical and social reality. Proposes that human existence is multidimensional, with types of realities commensurate with different states of consciousness, and speculates about integrating such states into a person's comprehensive system of experience. |
Abstract
The article develops philosophical aspect of the problem of nonordinary states of consciousness research. The demarcation of terms «altered states of consciousness» and «nonordinary states of consciousness» is based on their phenomenology. Ontology and philosophical anthropology are the context of philosophical comprehension of this problem. The statement about the connection of the problem of nonordinary states of consciousness with human nature and constitution and ultimate states is taken for the initial point. The author expresses the idea of multidimensionality of human existence in connection to types of realities, which are commensurate with different states of consciousness. The main conclusion is that nonordinary states of consciousness are connected to the going beyond the limits of usual empiric and social reality. At the end the author speculates about the possibility to integrate nonordinary states of consciousness into a person’s comprehensive system of experience.