Research Guides: Mysticism: Critical Approaches

Surveys of Critical Approaches

There is no one survey that is both up to date and comprehensive but the following materials are good starting points.

Encyclopedia of Religion
The article: "Mysticism [Further Considerations]" provides a very short but good introduction to some of the major issues and interpretations of mysticism.
The foundations of mysticism
The section "Theoretical Foundations : The Modern Study of Mysticism" starts on page 265. Parts of this long discussion by Bernard McGinn are less useful as it was published in 1991.
Christian mysticism: an introduction to contemporary theoretical approaches
Published in 2009 this is the most recent survey.

Constructivism vs. purist theories

Roughly speaking Constructivism says that mystical experiences are culturally constructed. The leading advocate of this view is Steven Katz. Opposed to this is the purist view which says that mysticism is based on an unmediated experience. The leading advocate of this view is Robert Forman.

Mysticism and philosophical analysis
The first four books in this list are by Steven Katz.
Mysticism and religious traditions
Mysticism and language
Mysticism and sacred scripture
The Problem of pure consciousness: mysticism and philosophy
This book and the following two books are by Robert Forman.
The innate capacity: mysticism, psychology, and philosophy
Mysticism, mind, consciousness

Neurotheological Interpretations

Note: Andrew Newberg is a Haverford graduate and is currently at PENN.

The mystical mind: probing the biology of religious experience
Early investigation of the neurophysiology of religious experience.
Why God won't go away: brain science and the biology of belief
Written in an non scientific style.
Principles of neurotheology
Chapter 7, "Physiological and Phenomenological Correlates of Spiritual Practices" is the most useful chapter.