RE: mysticism

From: Gatherer, D. (Derek) (D.Gatherer@organon.nhe.akzonobel.nl)
Date: Wed Oct 04 2000 - 15:17:49 BST

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From: "Gatherer, D. (Derek)" <D.Gatherer@organon.nhe.akzonobel.nl>
To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
Subject: RE: mysticism
Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 16:17:49 +0200 
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Derek:
>So how do we know if alleged mystical experiences really do constitute an
>'expansion of consciouness' (was it Huxley?) or alternatively, how do we
>know if they are a load of old rubbish?

Wade:
Because we can create instruments that 'see' and that can tell us what
they see.

No mystic has ever created an instrument [technology] that shows us what
they see.

Although they've supplied us with a myriad of stories and fables and
yarns.

Derek:

True (or not quite, see below *), but think about the thought experiment
again. On the island of the blind, they also respond:

"No [allegedly seeing person] has ever created an instrument [technology]
that shows us what they 'see'. Although they've supplied us with a myriad
of stories and fables and yarns."

So are we out of the problem yet?

* I think this may actually not be strictly correct, as brain stimulation by
magnetic fields can recreate mystical experiences (as indeed can certain
drugs) - so maybe there is a technology of mysticism......

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