A philosophical inquiry to include trance in epistemology.

Voluntary trance or meditation can extend perception beyond ordinary spatial and temporal boundaries. The validity and reliability of such experiences for science are no different from those of ordinary perception. Early Greek philosophy's shift from myth to logos neglected subtle qualities of reason once seen as gateways to divine revelation. Scientific methodologies cannot account for such revelation, and no scientific criteria exist to utilize these phenomena. Shamanic experiences are intersubjectively accessible and could support rational theories with appropriate methodologies, but science currently treats them as merely psychological and thus valueless for empirical research. The article examines reevaluating "rational" and "consciousness" to expand scientific methodologies to include volitionally altered perceptions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In a state of voluntary trance or meditation, the perception of reality appears to extend beyond the usual spatial and temporal boundaries that are normally perceived by the sense organs. It is argued that the problems of validity and reliability of trance experiences for scientific discourse are in principle no different than the problems associated with ordinary perception. The shift in early Greek philosophy from myth to an emphasis on logos (reason) has led to a neglect of those subtle qualities of reason that were considered to be gateways for divine revelation. Scientific methodologies cannot account for such revelation, and there are no criteria known to science that would enable people to utilize these phenomena. Shamanic experiences are intersubjectively accessible and provide data that is suitable for the construction of rational theories if appropriate methodologies are developed. However, for a scientist, shamanic experiences are considered at most to be psychological ones, and consequently without any value for empirical research. This article examines the possibility of reevaluating the terms "rational" and "consciousness," in order to expand scientific methodologies in such a way that volitionally altered perceptions of reality can be integrated into scientific research.