Kant and Mysticism: Critique as the Experience of Baring All in Reason's Light

The writings of Immanuel Kant offer valuable insights into the nature of mystical experiences and the role of philosophy in assessing such claims. In Kant and Mysticism, Stephen R. Palmquist demonstrates that Kant's "critical mysticism" involves a metaphorical relationship between reasons and dreams, which permeates his mature writings. This perspective has profound implications for contemporary understandings of religious and mystical experience, both by religious individuals and by philosophers seeking to understand these experiences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

When someone experiences a mystical encounter, such as feeling "at one with the universe" or "hearing God's voice," what is actually occurring? Do philosophical tools exist to evaluate such assertions? Which assertions can be classified as delusions and which ones hold genuine truths that have universal significance?

The writings of Immanuel Kant offer valuable insights into these pressing questions, although few philosophical commentators have fully appreciated the implications of his famous "Copernican hypothesis." In Kant and Mysticism, Stephen R. Palmquist seeks to rectify this skewed perspective of Kant and presents a comprehensive exploration of his thought.

Palmquist begins by delving into Kant's 1766 work, Dreams of a Spirit-Seer, which marks the initial revelation of his plan to write a new and revolutionary "critical" philosophy. Through a detailed analysis of this work, Palmquist demonstrates that Kant's philosophy is rooted in the metaphorical relationship between reason and dreams, which he later extends to encompass metaphysics and mysticism.

Palmquist further elucidates how this metaphorical relationship permeates Kant's mature writings, highlighting the interconnectedness of his ideas. He clarifies how Kant's final (unfinished) book, Opus Postumum, completes this dual project and how the "critical mysticism" entailed by Kant's position has profound implications for contemporary understandings of religious and mystical experience, both within religious communities and among philosophers seeking to comprehend these experiences.

By examining Kant's writings through the lens of mysticism, Palmquist offers a fresh and insightful perspective on these profound questions. He challenges traditional interpretations of Kant's philosophy and sheds light on the hidden depths of his thought. Kant and Mysticism is a valuable contribution to the field of philosophy, providing a deeper understanding of the relationship between reason, imagination, and the mystical experience. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the boundaries of human knowledge and the potential for transcendent truth.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 152 x 227 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793604668