Albert Ahlf

1. Mystical experience can be accessed and transmitted through the intellectual faculty
and/or through the affective/emotional faculty. Discuss the efficacy of Blumenthal's concept
of "Philosophical Mysticism" (i.e. that focuses on intellectual faculty) in light of Blum's
argument for radical empiricism of mystical experience (i.e. that focuses
on affective/emotional faculty).

According to Jason Blum, Recent evidence in neuroscience has shown

that emotions play a greater role in human consciousness and mystical
experiences than language and concepts do.

These psychological developments suggest that radical empiricism

represents a better understanding of the human mind and how emotional and
qualitative aspects of mystical experience factor into human consciousness.
In Blums article, he states that through methodological advantages and
scientific advancement, the anatomical structures of human consciousness is
less conceptual and word oriented and a lot more emotional and qualitative.

There are to main perspectives on mystical experience which include neo-

Kantian linguistic empiricism and Jamesian radical empiricism. In Kantian
Linguistic Empiricism, experience is conceptualized through thought which is
limited by language. Mystical experience then through the Kantian view is
assumed to be conceptual and linguistic by nature. On the contrary, radical
empiricism encourages a broader and more inclusive view of consciousness
where non-lingual and non-conceptual elements such as emotions,
sensations, and felt qualities, are basic elements of experience which cannot
be described or fully understood through language and concepts.

Blumenthals concepts of Philosophic Mysticism states that the

mystical experience is attained through different methods of cultivating the
intellect. In philosophic mysticism, there is a mystical experience that is
based upon, while at the same time going beyond, philosophical reflection.
According to Blumenthal, one needs to learn the neo-Aristotelian body of
knowledge and praxis of Judeo-Islamic philosophy in order to transcend from
this world into the realm of the divine. This specific knowledge rooted in this
particular philosophy results in distinctive mystical experiences hence the
term Philosophic mysticism. Blumenthal states that contact with the divine
requires rigorous intellectual preparation. It is through the preparation of the
intellect, that the intellectual energy flowing from the divine will create an
experience which will be abstract and mystical in nature.

Blumenthal seems to contradict Blum by saying that mystical

experiences are attained through intellectual cultivation. This is because
Blum, contrary to Blumenthal, states that mystical experience is attained
through feelings and sensations which go beyond the intellect and the
thinking mind.