Prophetic Vision
Oxford University Press eBooks April 21, 2016 DOI: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199351534.003.0015 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that religions are naturally drawn to the anticipatory powers of dreaming, in which the human mind's natural capacities for forethought are enhanced by the brain's innate tendency to generate spontaneous visionary experiences during sleep. The chapter treats prophetic dreams as a widespread cross-cultural religious phenomenon, illustrated through the case of Perpetua and other traditions. |
Abstract
This chapter examines the cross-cultural religious phenomenon of prophetic visions in dreams. The widespread occurrence of these kinds of visually intense, future-oriented dreams has prompted both positive and negative attention from religious authorities throughout history. This chapter looks at prophetic vision in the context of scientific research on big dreams. The discussion includes a detailed case study (Perpetua, a young Christian woman in second-century c.e. Carthage who kept a dream diary while awaiting execution in a Roman coliseum), references to other religious traditions around the world, and theories from cognitive science and the psychology of religion. Special attention is given to the power of visual imagery in certain kinds of religious experience. The chapter argues that religions are naturally drawn to the anticipatory powers of dreaming, in which the human mind’s natural capacities for forethought are boosted by the brain’s innate tendency to generate spontaneous visionary experiences during sleep.