Saturday, May 19, 2012

Mystical Experience and Evolution

James cites, and accepts, a description of 'mystical experience' as paradoxically consisting in both an internal and an external aspect.  Furthermore, he cites, and accepts, the interpretation of that paradox as a combination of an imperfect natural subject, and an objective, perfect, supernatural entity.  In the process, he does not consider the possibility of alternative interpretations of the data, thereby revealing himself, as has been previously discussed here, as more theologically orthodox than his project seems to suggest.  One such possibility--the principle of 'Will', that has been presented here--is not likely one with which he would be familiar.  But, he is acquainted with the concept of an 'evolutionary leap', one in terms of which a mystical moment can be interpreted, i. e. as a transition from a lower level of complexity to a higher one.  In other words, mystical experience can be interpreted as a manifestation of a prevalent natural phenomenon, and, hence, not necessarily as a supernatural visitation, which James arbitrarily espouses.

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