Stance: an International Undergraduate Philosophy Journal
September 25, 2019
John Cooney
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...
ThéoRèmes
September 23, 2019
Frédéric Nef
Comparison of the James’ and Russell’s criteria for the specificity of mysticism, in respectively Varieties of Religious Experience and Mysticism and Logic. Insistence is made on the James distinction between ineffability and effability. Russell’s position on the cognitive and emotive content of mystical experience is discussed. Baruzi discussion concerning Bergson’s conception of mysticism is...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
September 19, 2019
Logan Neitzke-Spruill
58 citations
Background and aims Set and setting function both as a concept that guides research and practice with psychedelic drugs and as a meme aimed at reducing harm among psychedelic users. Referring to non-pharmacological factors that shape drug experiences, the concept of set and setting was popularized in the West during the mid-20th century. However, little theoretical development has occurred...
Journal of Neuroscience
September 18, 2019
Jean-Paul Noel, Yumiko Ishizawa, Shaun R Patel et al.
Both the global neuronal workspace (GNW) and integrated information theory (IIT) posit that highly complex and interconnected networks engender perceptual awareness. GNW specifies that activity recruiting frontoparietal networks will elicit a subjective experience, whereas IIT is more concerned with the functional architecture of networks than with activity within it. Here, we argue that...
September 16, 2019
Ingrid Falque
This book offers the first full-length study of the contemplative function of devotional portraits in Early Netherlandish paintings (1400-1550), demonstrating that many images of people kneeling in prayer functioned within the picture as a visualisation of their spiritual process. The study is anchored within a fertile art-historical tradition that focuses on the uses and functions of...
September 10, 2019
Nevill Drury, Gregory Tillett
In Western countries psychedelic drugs, because of their dangerous random use have understandably been the cause of considerable controversy. Hallucinatory drugs cause altered states of awareness, which in the shamanistic societies are often used for positive purposes like healing. One of the first contemporary drug-explorers was Aldous Huxley, the British novelist, who was later to be hailed...
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies
September 1, 2019
This article describes the development of the Sexual Ecstasy Scale, an instrument designed to measure the specific features that emerge when sexual arousal is the trigger for an ecstatic experience. Drawing from descriptions of features of sexual ecstasy in the phenomenological literature, the authors generated an initial survey of 31 items. In Study 1, the survey was completed by a wide...
Logos et Praxis
September 1, 2019
S. Tokareva, V. Patrin
The article investigates the genesis of psychologism as a methodological basis for the study of religious experience. The authors show that the first experience of consistent applying psychologism for the purpose of radical criticism of religion was carried out by D. Hume, who reduced the religious experience to the emotional and mental nature of man. As a result, in the philosophy of Hume, the...
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
September 1, 2019
Buddy Marterre
Many of our experiences in hospice and palliative care medicine are challenging. We support dying patients and their families as they struggle with the transition from life to death and continue to support those in mourning. Many times, in America, it is difficult to even appreciate a glimmer of spiritual grace as our patients die. We easily remain stuck in the material and distance ourselves...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
September 1, 2019
Sam Gandy
44 citations
We are in the midst of a psychedelic research renaissance. With research examining the efficacy of psychedelics as a treatment for a range of mental health indications still in its early stages, there is an increasing body of research to show that careful use of psychedelics can yield a variety of benefits in “healthy normals” and so lead to “the betterment of well people.” Psychedelics have...