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John of the Cross and the Cognitive Value of Mysticism

An Analysis of Sanjuanist Teaching and its Philosophical Implications for Contemporary Discussions of Mystical Experience

  • Book
  • © 1990

Overview

Authors:
  1. Steven Payne

    1. DeSales School of Theology, USA

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Part of the book series: The New Synthese Historical Library (SYNL, volume 37)

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xix
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  2. John of the Cross

    • Steven Payne
    Pages 1-15

  3. The Doctrine of St. John of the Cross: The Structure of the Human Person

    • Steven Payne
    Pages 16-49

  4. The Doctrine of St. John of the Cross: The Dynamics of Spiritual Development

    • Steven Payne
    Pages 50-90

  5. Some Transitional Observations on the Nature of Christian Mysticism and the Data to be Explained

    • Steven Payne
    Pages 91-125

  6. Some Objections Considered

    • Steven Payne
    Pages 126-173

  7. Mysticism and the Explanatory Mode of Inference

    • Steven Payne
    Pages 174-214

  8. Conclusions

    • Steven Payne
    Pages 215-219

  9. Back Matter

    Pages 220-246
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Keywords

About this book

Among Anglo-American philosophers, interest in mysticism has typically been limited to the question of whether or not mystical and religious experi­ ences provide evidence for, or knowledge of, the existence and nature of God. Most authors conclude that they do not, because such experiences lack certain qualities needed in order to be counted as cognitive. In this study I examine some current philosophical opinions about mysticism and objec­ tions to its epistemic significance in the context of a detailed study of the writings of a single mystical author, the Spanish Carmelite Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591). I argue that from his works one can draw a coherent theory of what takes place in the Christian mystical life, and will indicate how acceptance of this theory might be defended as rational through a type of inference often referred to as the "Argument to the Best Explanation. " In this way I hope to show that mysticism still has a significant bearing on the justification of religious faith even if it cannot be used to "prove" the exis­ tence of God. The nature and advantages of my own somewhat unusual approach to mysticism can perhaps best be explained by contrasting it with the way other authors have dealt with the subject. One of the most striking develop­ ments in recent decades has been the growing fascination with mysticism, meditation, and the experiential aspects of religion.

Reviews

'This book is a significant contribution to the literature on mysticism and the epistemology thereof. It is recommended to all those interested in the mystics and in the question of the cognitive value of mysticism.' Review of Metaphysics March 1992

Authors and Affiliations

  • DeSales School of Theology, USA

    Steven Payne

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: John of the Cross and the Cognitive Value of Mysticism

  • Book Subtitle: An Analysis of Sanjuanist Teaching and its Philosophical Implications for Contemporary Discussions of Mystical Experience

  • Authors: Steven Payne

  • Series Title: The New Synthese Historical Library

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2007-1

  • Publisher: Springer Dordrecht

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

  • Copyright Information: Kluwer Academic Publishers 1990

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-7923-0707-5Published: 31 July 1990

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-94-010-7399-8Published: 13 October 2011

  • eBook ISBN: 978-94-009-2007-1Published: 06 December 2012

  • Series ISSN: 1879-8578

  • Series E-ISSN: 2352-2585

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XX, 246

  • Topics: Epistemology, Religious Studies, general, Philosophy, general

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