Scientific Explanations of Mystical Experiences, Part I
The Case of St Teresa
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 5776886 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Evan Fales (University of Iowa, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1996 |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 143-163 |
| Publication date | 1996-06-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Religious Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0034-4125 • E-ISSN: 1469-901X |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0034412500024203 |
| OpenAlex | W2051790491 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
| References cited | 36 |
Several writers have argued for the implausibility of there being naturalistic explanations of mystical experience. These writers recognize that the evidential significance of mystical experiences for theism depends upon whether explanations that exclude supernatural agency can be discounted; but they seem unaware of some of the best scientific work done in this area. Part I of the present paper introduces the theory of I. M. Lewis, an anthropologist, and tests it against the case of St Teresa. I use Teresa because of her prominence, and because we have considerable biographical data for her. I conclude that Lewis's approach, suitably supplemented, is strikingly successful in explaining this case
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Perceiving God
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Apparitions in Late Medieval and Renaissance Spain
Holy Anorexia
The Forest of Symbols
Case studies in spirit possession
Immodest Acts
The golden bough
Faith and the Philosophers
Immodest Acts. The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy
Messianism, Mysticism, and Magic
Mystic Union
Why Alston's Mystical Doxastic Practice Is Subjective
On the Nature and Existence of God
The Night Battles
The Golden Bough
Mysticism
Divinity and Experience
The Structural Study of Myth and Totemism
Kingship and the Psalms
The Night Battles
Revelation and Divination in Ndembu Ritual
The Ritual Process
Messianism, Mysticism, and Magic
| Unique citing works | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,22 |
| Citation span | 2003 - 2022 (20) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 5 |