A critique of “Neurotheology” and an examination of spatial perception in mystical experience
Acta Neuropsychologica March 25, 2012 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.5604/17307503.995092 via OpenAlex
Summary
The critique examines the concept of 'neurotheology' proposed by d'Aquili and Newberg, particularly its modular approach to mental processes and its views on language and arousal in mystical experiences. It highlights how neurotheology claims to understand ultimate reality through a perception of 'unified undifferentiated oneness,' termed Absolute Unitary Being (AUB). The analysis compares AUB with Buddhist and Vedantic texts, concluding that neurotheology overly equates various mystical experiences with AUB.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | Neurotheology is critiqued for its overinclusiveness in equating all mystical experiences with Absolute Unitary Being. |
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Abstract
The "neurotheology" developed by d'Aquili and Newberg is critiqued, beginning with its modular conception of mental process and its understanding of the contribution of language, deafferentation, and autonomic and limbic arousal in mystical experience.Neurotheology makes claims about ultimate reality and the neuropsychological means of its realization.A spatial perception that conveys the sense of "unified undifferentiated oneness" reveals Absolute Unitary Being (AUB).The neurotheology of AUB is analyzed and compared with texts from the Buddhist and Vedantic traditions, leading to the phenomenological description and neuropsychological interpretation of a distinctly mystical form of spatial perception represented in three religious traditions.The conclusion illustrates neurotheology's overinclusiveness in equating all mystical experiences with AUB.