From Mathematics to Mysticism and Back
Sasho Kalajdzievski
A K Peters/CRC Press eBooks October 12, 2023 DOI: 10.1201/9781003282198-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Mathematicians |
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Key points | Argues that mathematicians' training in open-mindedness and proof makes them disproportionately represented in the broad mystic realm and competent at scrutinizing claims. Also proposes that mystic or mystic-like experiences influence mathematicians' work, with later-life experiences having a more significant impact in the author's sample. |
Abstract
Mathematicians are by trade predisposed to be open-minded and to consider the alternatives to the underlying axioms of a widely accepted theory. This is one of the reasons why they are disproportionately represented in the broad mystic realm. Moreover, they are aware of the philosophical and mathematical perils of non-critical acceptance of claims widely accepted as obvious or evident. Mathematicians know exactly what ‘proof’ means, and hence they are competent scrutinizers of arguments leading to various theories. In the opposite direction, we indicate how mystic, or mystic-like experiences, impact the work of mathematicians. Our sample of mathematicians seems to indicate that when these experiences occur later in one&s;s life, their impact on one&s;s mathematical work is more significant.
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 |