Some Ontological Principles of Mystical Experience

Abstract

This paper takes for granted the fact of “mystical” experience and seeks to reflect upon its nature. But there are difficulties at the very outset concerning the very evidence of the fact itself. For the purposes of scientific analysis of the nature of mystical experience, one cannot use purely private data gained from introspection, even if that should be possible. Rather, it is necessary to rely upon the testimony, chiefly written, that has been given to us by those who claim to have had such experience or whose words at least obliquely point to the fact of such experience.