LIMITATIONS ON THE NEUROSCIENTIFIC STUDY OF MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES. Issue 4 (21st November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jones, Richard H.
• Is Part Of: Zygon. Volume 53:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 992
• Page End: 1017
• Publication Date: 2018-11-21
• Subjects: constructivism -- meditation -- mindfulness -- multiple realization -- mystical experiences -- neuroscience -- pure consciousness event -- science of consciousness; Religion and science -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 200
• DOI: 10.1111/zygo.12468
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0591-2385

Abstract

Abstract: Neuroscientific scanning of meditators is taken as providing data on mystical experiences. However, problems concerning how the brain and consciousness are related cast doubts on whether any understanding of the content of meditative experiences is gained through the study of the brain. Whether neuroscience can study the subjective aspects of meditative experiences in general is also discussed. So too, whether current neuroscience can establish that there are "pure consciousness events" in mysticism is open to question. The discussion points to limitations on neuroscience's capability to add to our understanding of the phenomenological content of mystical experiences.