Inquiry into phenomenology of mystical experiences

Mystical experiences of the holy and infinite resemble sensory perception in their essential features, according to a philosophical argument defending William Alston's view that some mystical experiences are genuinely perceptual. The paper examines the Christian mystical tradition's concept of spiritual senses, as developed by Origen, Karl Rahner, and Hans Urs von Balthasar. It discusses the phenomenal qualities of such experiences and the role of emotions in mystical cognition. While analytical methods have limited ability to confirm or articulate these largely ineffable experiences, the author argues this limitation is not philosophically problematic. The conclusion affirms that mystical experiences share key features with sensory perception.

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Abstract

This paper explores the phenomenology of mystical experiences and its philosophical implications. The focus will be on defending Alston’s view that there are perceptual kinds of mystical experiences, a view that has been historically prominent. In Christian mystical tradition the most influential discussions on spiritual senses were led by Origen and respected theologians like Karl Rahner and Hans Urs von Balthasar. The question of phenomenal qualities of such experiences will be discussed, as well as the role of emotions in mystical cognition. In addressing the problem of inter-subjective confirmation and articulation of such largely ineffable experiences, it will be argued that analytical methods are limited, but this is not philosophically problematic. The conclusion affirms the thesis that mystical experiences of the holy and infinite resemble sensory perception in its essential features.