Mysticism and Ethics
W. Wainwright
International Encyclopedia of Ethics February 1, 2013 DOI: 10.1002/9781444367072.wbiee129 (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 relation between mysticism and ethics is not as straightforward as the dominant view, expressed by Steven T. Katz, suggests. While Katz claims no major mystical figures or traditions preach moral indifference or immorality, the author contends this consensus oversimplifies the issue, in contrast to arguments by Albert Schweitzer, Arthur Danto, and others that mystical consciousness and morality are incompatible. |
Abstract
The relation between mysticism and ethics is contentious. Albert Schweitzer, Arthur Danto, and others have argued that mystical consciousness and morality are incompatible. The dominant view is expressed by Steven T. Katz, however: “it is difficult to find any major mystical figures, or mystical traditions, that can be said to preach moral indifference; and certainly none preach immorality” (1992: 254). But the issue is not so straightforward. Keywords: altruism; benevolence; charity; Christianity; comparative philosophy; ethics; Indian philosophy; philosophy of religion
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on mysticism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The mystical mind: probing the biology of religious experience | 2000 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Religious and Mystical Experiences as Artifacts of Temporal Lobe Function: A General Hypothesis | 1983 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Problem of Pure Consciousness: Mysticism and Philosophy | 1993 | Edited collection of essays | |
| Irreducible Mind: Toward a Psychology for the 21st Century | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mysticism and schizophrenia: A phenomenological exploration of the structure of consciousness in the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |