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Methodical
Madness: |
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A discussion of states
of "divine madness" can be usefully placed within the context of the
evolution of Western sacred hermeneutics. Both Western religion and science
lack the cognitive models and language to describe the difference between
"psychosis" and "spiritual state" in a nuanced way, just as Western culture
fails to support those experiencing these states with a viable cognitive
language. The possibility for such a language was left behind when Western
Christianity, in abandoning its Middle Eastern roots, emphasized univalence
and consistency in the
language of faith and exiled language that expressed multivalence and diversity. The framework for multivalence in language still exists in the form of Jewish and Islamic mystical hermeneutical styles, which can be usefully placed in dialogue with the models of post-modern inquiry. |
