Synopsis

In this contemporary system* of philosophy, the adaptive, modular, "double coded" tools of postmodernism are used, to focus on a comprehensive understanding of and an intuitive resonance with the multi- and meta-cultural quest of humanity for the gratification of its higher needs in the form of philosophical, artistic and spiritual activities. It stands in-between ("equi-aeon") the age of presence promoting substance-thinking and the age of process, focusing on the transformation of energy, the product of differences. It tries to identify that which escapes radical relativism, scepticism and nihilism, but this without returning to uncritical thinking (realism versus idealism) and the neglect of the spiritual & the absent, in particular by way of substance.

The first publication in this direction was an epistemological study of rationality & irrationality (1984), written in the tradition of Kant and critical philosophy, providing the formal backbone for a participant observational methodology and a critical hermeneutics. The methods of participant observation had been used to study the language-games played by some so-called "peripheral disciplines" (with their particular semantics, syntax & pragmatics). These are domains of knowledge operating at or moving even beyond the periphery of the contemporary scientific paradigm (like parapsychology, astrology, magic, alchemy & esotericism, in particular Hermetism). 

However, in the course of these exotic studies, another, far more interesting area of study emerged, namely, comparative mysticism : the possible direct experience of the Absolute.

The study of the mysticism of the world religions (Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam) led to a wide range of objects to study. However, since 1982 the core interest remained the same, namely : is it possible to experience the "Ding-an-sich" or the Absolute directly through intellectual perception, illumination, enlightenment or mystical experiences ? Was Kant right by denying reason an intellect reflecting itself ? Could it be shown he was wrong ?

Related to this was the crucial question : on what are the abysmal differences based between what the world religions & their many followers claim about the Absolute, and is there a universal core, a "file rouge" connecting all of them ? 

The Piagetian concept of the different layers, strands, phases or levels of cognition as well as the results of transpersonal psychology and neurotheology were helpful. Studied were : Ancient Egypt, Judaism, Qabalah, Classical Yoga, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Sufism & Hermetism. In the course of these investigations, major texts had to be translated : the Yoga-Sûtra (Sanskrit, English & French), the Seven Ways of Holy Love (Middle Dutch, Dutch & English), the Sepher Yetzirah (Dutch), the Mystical Theology (Dutch), the Gospel of Thomas (English), Q1 (Greek, Latin, English), the Memphis Theology (Middle Egyptian, English, French). Egyptian wisdom texts formed a separate study.

Participant observation asks for moments of withdrawal, necessary to organize the data in accordance with their structural characteristics and to articulate hypothesis (if possible) to be tested "on the spot" later. The larger framework being the production of knowledge in problem-solving activity linked, in general, with the dynamics between, on the one hand, rationality and, on the other hand, reason's periphery and beyond (ante-rationality, irrationality). In particular, this is linked with the measure of (objective) significance and (subjective) relevance of the knowledge and practice of the mystics and mystical philosophers of all word religions and of all ages.

logic, epistemology, neurophilosophy, natural philosophy, philosophical anthropology & psychology, esthetics, ethics, hermeneutics, ontology, comparative spirituality, mysticology philosophy of mysticism

LOGIC

Four kind of logics are studied : 

1. transcendental logic : defines the conditions of thought itself, namely that no thought is possible without a subject and an object, which are both irreducible. This logic is the necessary condition of the critical theory on knowledge developed here ;

2. the logic of the ideal speech situation (2.6.1 & 2.6.2) was developed by Habermas in the context of his theory on communicative actions. This logic determines the conditions necessary for symmetrical discourses between communicative actors, the necessary condition of a communication which is not colonized by the media power & money ;

3. opportunistic logic (3.4.3) is the phrase used by Knorr-Cetina to define the way research cells are organized and seek to produce knowledge (applied epistemology) ;

4. formal₃ dialectics (3.3.4.2) of Barth & Krabbe suggest that three levels of formal rules can be seen at work in the context of a theory on argumentation : (1) basic rules, (2) rules covering the use of the logical constants and (3) rules dealing with the argumentation of propositions.

EPISTEMOLOGY

This study has three branches : transcendental logic, theoretical epistemology & applied epistemology. Transcendental logic discovers the principles of the possibility of thought. With norms the theory of knowledge answers the question how knowledge and its expansion are possible, whereas the application of these insights in the concrete context of the production of knowledge results in the maxims of applied epistemology.

Prolegomena (1994, Dutch) : epistemological inquiry into the groundless ground of all thinking in the light of a critical, strictly nominalistic & moderate postmodern view on science and rationality.
Knowledge (1996, Dutch) : epistemology (theory & practice of knowledge) preceded by a study of transcendental logic. A moderate postmodernism resulting in the methodology of a refined participative observation. Study of Western metaphysics & criteria for a valid immanent metaphysical project.
The Rules of the Game of True Knowing (1999, English) : summary of all principles, norms & rules covering the logical, theoretical & practical aspects of epistemology.
Clearings (2006, English) : comprehensive study of the proposed critical epistemology.

NEUROPHILOSOPHY

Three perspectives are introduced : 

1. the study of cognition : defines the genesis of thought, taking into consideration ante-rationality, rationality and intuition. The former is divided in mythical, pre-rational and proto-rational thought - conceptual thought is therefore rooted in ante-rational proto-rationality, ending with the beginning of nondual thought ;

2. structure and function of the central nervous system : introduction to those aspects of neurology contributing to a better understanding of human actions, emotions and thoughts ;

3. revolution of the mindbrain : description of the brain in terms of a visualized matrix enabling its user to change brain software.

NATURAL PHILOSOPHY & PHILOSOPHICAL COSMOLOGY

Chaos (1996, Dutch) : the myth of chaos in Ancient Egypt, Greece, Judaism & Christianity. Scholastic & rational chaostheory. Short history of modern physics (classical, relativity, quantummechanics). Philosophical inquiry into the meaning of (postmodern ?) chaostheory in general system theory & the evolution (process) of living systems.

PHILOSOPHICAL ANTHROPOLOGY & PSYCHOLOGY

Towards a Cybernetic Anthropology (1993, Dutch) : conventional but eclectic study of the human, examining -through a functionalistic approach- the cognitive genesis of the nominal dimensions of consciousness, taking into account the ideas of S.Freud, L.Kohlberg & A.Maslow.

ESTHETICS

Towards an Aesthetic of the Excellent Exemplaric & the Sublime Beyond (1993, Dutch) : esthetical theory inspired by Kantian exemplarism leading to the sublime integration of harmonization (order) and disharmonization (chaos). A more comprehensive study of esthetics was published recently (2007, English).

ETHICS

The proposed system of ethics is called "participationism". Starting with individual participation, it ends in "planetary participationism", which involves the formation of a global social system regulating the free market in order to safeguard social & ecological justice on this planet. An English study of ethics was published in 2006.

HERMENEUTICS

If direct participant observation is impossible, the study of textual records is the only thing left. Hermeneutics teaches how to adequately read and interprete texts. It was initiated by a study of Flemish mysticism. Other texts were translated, read & interpreted using the same hermeneutical tools : the Yoga-Sûtra (English & French), the Seven Ways of Holy Love (Dutch & English), the Sepher Yetzirah (Dutch), the Gospel of Thomas (English), Q1 (Dutch & English), the Third Life (English, Dutch), the Mystical Theology (Dutch), the Memphis Theology (English), the Great Hymn to the Aten (English), the Didache (English) & the Discourse of a Man with his Ba (English) and many more Egyptian texts.

ONTOLOGY

The three fundamental operators of the ontology (or theory on being) of this philosophy are :

• pragmatism or matter (hardware) : executive material aggregates, composed of nominal (crude, gross) and/or meta-nominal (subtle) matter - cf. hylic pluralism ;

• syntax or information (software) : ordered architectures by virtue of the laws of symmetry which describe their well-formed code and non-redundant information ;

• semantics or consciousness (userware) : source of meaning, develop a unique perspective or conscious outlook enabling them to auto-redefine, auto-regulate and auto-reorganize as a function of their degree of intelligence (or freedom).

COMPARATIVE SPIRITUALITY

The study of mysticism is impossible without insights regarding the spirituality of the world religions which cradled this search for the direct experience of the Absolute. Studied & compared were : Ancient Egypt, Judaism, Hermetism, Qabalah, Classical Yoga, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam & Sufism.

MYSTICOLOGY

The study of the direct experience of the Absolute in view of discovering those cognitive manipulations which are its foundation. The major study is : Knowledge & Love-Mysticism (1994, Dutch). It deals with love in the work of Beatrix of Nazareth, the mystical knowledge-manipulation and its strictly negative & symbolic theology. Provided are : a general and contextual study of Flemish mysticism, a commentary on and critique of Beatrice's treatise and a study of the totalizing mental operators supporting contemplation and the yearning for God, i.e. the contemplation of God through God. Recently a study on Ruusbroec has been added.

PHILOSOPHY OF MYSTICISM

This branch summarizes the comparative results and tries to develop a universal theory on mystical experience.

Curriculum Vitae of the Author