Robert K.C. Forman
Encyclopedia
Robert K.C. Forman has worked as professor of religion at Hunter's College, C.U.N.Y., and is Founding Executive Director of The Forge Institute for Spirituality and Social Change. His books include The Problems of Pure Consciousness and The Innate Capacity. In the latter work, he argues that there is such a thing as Pure Consciousness Event, a feature common to all mystical experience. This therefore distinguishes his work on mystical experience from that of constructivists such as Hjalmar Sundén
. Forman describes his position as "perennial psychology" (a term which appears to originate with Ken Wilber
), but he is keen to point out that this is not the same as perennial philosophy
. His arguments to defend his view that there is a common feature found in all mystical experiences include that mystical experiences involve a sense of stripping away of learnt concepts, and that one can have an experience and only later learn about it. In The Innate Capacity, he gives the example of a man who had the Buddhist experience of satori
, although not himself a Buddhist at the time, and only later learnt about satori
. Indeed, even if one did learn about an experience and later learn about it, in Forman's view this does not prove that the learning causes the experience; to think in this way would, in Forman's view, be to commit the logical error of post hoc ergo propter hoc
.
As well as editing a number of books on the topic of consciousness
and mysticism
, Forman has worked as co-editor of the Journal of Consciousness Studies
. He has also collaborated with Ken Wilber
on work (Forman, Wilber & Andresen, 2000).
Forman can be understood, along with Walter Terence Stace
, as a defender of the perennialist position on mystical experience, the view that there is indeed a core experience common to mystics of all creeds, cultures and generations. This position can be contrasted with the constructivists, who believe that mystical experience takes very different forms in different contexts, such as Steven T. Katz
, Hjalmar Sundén or Wayne Proudfoot
. For Forman, one core feature common to most traditions of mysticism is something that he terms the "Pure Consciousness Event"—a state of neither knowing-how nor knowing that, but simply of knowing. Forman is influenced by the doctrine of intentionality
insofar as he claims that, during a Pure Consciousness Event, cognition may lack an intentional object.
, 5 (2) 185-201
Hjalmar Sundén
Hjalmar Sundén was a Swedish psychologist, known for his contributions to the psychology of religion and for his development of "role theory"....
. Forman describes his position as "perennial psychology" (a term which appears to originate with Ken Wilber
Ken Wilber
Kenneth Earl Wilber II is an American author who has written about mysticism, philosophy, ecology, and developmental psychology. His work formulates what he calls Integral Theory. In 1998, he founded the Integral Institute, for teaching and applications of Integral theory.-Biography:Ken Wilber was...
), but he is keen to point out that this is not the same as perennial philosophy
Perennial philosophy
Perennial philosophy is the notion of the universal recurrence of philosophical insight independent of epoch or culture, including universal truths on the nature of reality, humanity or consciousness .-History:The idea of a perennial philosophy has great...
. His arguments to defend his view that there is a common feature found in all mystical experiences include that mystical experiences involve a sense of stripping away of learnt concepts, and that one can have an experience and only later learn about it. In The Innate Capacity, he gives the example of a man who had the Buddhist experience of satori
Satori
is a Japanese Buddhist term for enlightenment that literally means "understanding". In the Zen Buddhist tradition, satori refers to a flash of sudden awareness, or individual enlightenment, and is considered a "first step" or embarkation toward nirvana....
, although not himself a Buddhist at the time, and only later learnt about satori
Satori
is a Japanese Buddhist term for enlightenment that literally means "understanding". In the Zen Buddhist tradition, satori refers to a flash of sudden awareness, or individual enlightenment, and is considered a "first step" or embarkation toward nirvana....
. Indeed, even if one did learn about an experience and later learn about it, in Forman's view this does not prove that the learning causes the experience; to think in this way would, in Forman's view, be to commit the logical error of post hoc ergo propter hoc
Post hoc ergo propter hoc
Post hoc ergo propter hoc, Latin for "after this, therefore because of this," is a logical fallacy that states, "Since that event followed this one, that event must have been caused by this one." It is often shortened to simply post hoc and is also sometimes referred to as false cause,...
.
As well as editing a number of books on the topic of consciousness
Consciousness
Consciousness is a term that refers to the relationship between the mind and the world with which it interacts. It has been defined as: subjectivity, awareness, the ability to experience or to feel, wakefulness, having a sense of selfhood, and the executive control system of the mind...
and mysticism
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
, Forman has worked as co-editor of the Journal of Consciousness Studies
Journal of Consciousness Studies
The Journal of Consciousness Studies is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated entirely to the field of consciousness studies. It was previously edited by Joseph Goguen. It has been co-edited by the philosopher of mysticism, Robert K.C...
. He has also collaborated with Ken Wilber
Ken Wilber
Kenneth Earl Wilber II is an American author who has written about mysticism, philosophy, ecology, and developmental psychology. His work formulates what he calls Integral Theory. In 1998, he founded the Integral Institute, for teaching and applications of Integral theory.-Biography:Ken Wilber was...
on work (Forman, Wilber & Andresen, 2000).
Forman can be understood, along with Walter Terence Stace
Walter Terence Stace
Walter Terence Stace was a British civil servant, educator, philosopher and epistemologist, who wrote on Hegel, Mysticism, and Moral relativism...
, as a defender of the perennialist position on mystical experience, the view that there is indeed a core experience common to mystics of all creeds, cultures and generations. This position can be contrasted with the constructivists, who believe that mystical experience takes very different forms in different contexts, such as Steven T. Katz
Steven T. Katz
Steven T. Katz is a Jewish philosopher and scholar. He is the director of the Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies at Boston University in Massachusetts, USA, where he holds the Alvin J. and Shirley Slater Chair in Jewish and Holocaust Studies. Professor Katz was born August 12, 1944 in Jersey...
, Hjalmar Sundén or Wayne Proudfoot
Wayne Proudfoot
Wayne Proudfoot is a professor of religion at Columbia University. He has a Ph.D. from Harvard University, 1972.-Works:* Faithful Imagining : Essays In Honor Of Richard R. Niebuhr / edited By Sang Hyun Lee, Wayne Proudfoot, Albert Blackwell Atlanta, Ga...
. For Forman, one core feature common to most traditions of mysticism is something that he terms the "Pure Consciousness Event"—a state of neither knowing-how nor knowing that, but simply of knowing. Forman is influenced by the doctrine of intentionality
Intentionality
The term intentionality was introduced by Jeremy Bentham as a principle of utility in his doctrine of consciousness for the purpose of distinguishing acts that are intentional and acts that are not...
insofar as he claims that, during a Pure Consciousness Event, cognition may lack an intentional object.
Books by Forman
- Forman, R.K.C. (2011). Enlightenment Ain't What It's Cracked Up To Be. Hants, UK. O-Books.
- Forman, R.K.C. (2004). Grassroots Spirituality: What It Is, Why It Is Here, Where It Is Going. Exeter and Charlottesville: Imprint Academic.
- Forman, R.K.C., Wilber, K. & Andresen, J. (2000). Cognitive Models and Spi Maps: Interdisciplinary Explorations of Religious Experience. Journal of Consciousness Studies. Imprint Academic.
- Forman, R.K.C. (ed.). (1998). The Innate Capacity: Mysticism, Philosophy and Psychology. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Forman, R.K.C. (1997). Mysticism, Mind, Consciousness. New York: State University of New York Press
- Forman, R.K.C. (1994). (ed.) Meister EckhartMeister EckhartEckhart von Hochheim O.P. , commonly known as Meister Eckhart, was a German theologian, philosopher and mystic, born near Gotha, in the Landgraviate of Thuringia in the Holy Roman Empire. Meister is German for "Master", referring to the academic title Magister in theologia he obtained in Paris...
: Mystic as Theologian: An Experiment in Methodology. Rockport, MASSACHUSETTS: Houghton Mifflin. (Published by Element in 1991). - Forman, R.K.C. (ed.) (1990). The Problem of Pure Consciousness: Mysticism and Philosophy. Oxford University Press.
Articles by Forman
Forman, R.K.C. (1998). What does mysticism have to teach us about consciousness? Journal of Consciousness StudiesJournal of Consciousness Studies
The Journal of Consciousness Studies is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated entirely to the field of consciousness studies. It was previously edited by Joseph Goguen. It has been co-edited by the philosopher of mysticism, Robert K.C...
, 5 (2) 185-201