Open AccessSimilar Differences
Author(s) -
Will D Simpson
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
axis mundi
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1496-2578
DOI - 10.29173/axismundi89
Subject(s) - mysticism , epistemology , cognition , psychology , common core , core (optical fiber) , sociology , social psychology , philosophy , computer science , theology , neuroscience , telecommunications
The study of mystical experiences is an endeavor that has been approached in many ways. One unresolved issue in this area of study is whether or not there is a particular type of experience underlying the traditionally religious interpretations, which can be termed “mystical.” In this paper, the author posits that some of the foundational claims of the common core view and the social constructivist view of the nature of such experiences, respectively, are not completely incompatible. Rather, the two approaches may converge with regard to the cognitive foundations of cross-culturally accessible anomalous experiences.