Fear as an Invitation to Destructive Forces

Epistemological Foundationsand Boundaries of Knowledge

Terence PalmerSchool of Theology & Religious StudiesBangor UniversityBeyond Boundaries Post-Grad Conference 2009

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EpistemologyThe philosophical theory of knowledge.One view is that justification distinguishes

genuine knowledge. There are two types of justification:

1. Rationalism – logic and maths – pure reasoning.

2. Empiricism- impressions of sense data.

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Fear viewed through scientific empiricismDarwinian evolutionFear as the natural response to a threatSurvival mechanism in a hostile worldFight or flightPhysiological homeostasisUnderstanding stress related illness and

stress management

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Fear to the clinical psychologistFixation to trauma hypothesisHelplessness and loss of power and controlHard wired schemataUnconscious drive to overcome helplessnessSelf repeating cycleThe fear is real – but...Can the real danger be overcome? – and...Is the threat real or imagined?

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Epistemology of religionWhat is the origin of knowledge?What of universal or transcendental

knowledge?What has religious experience to contribute?What is the nature of truth?Hermeneutics - how truth is interpretedSubjective meaning

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Plato’s Model of Knowledge

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A synthesised epistemologyScientific empiricism – impressions of sense

dataReligious empiricism – subjective experienceRadical empiricism – impressions of 6th sense

dataPragmatism – does it work?

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Fear as an emotional energyTransmitted like a beaconSensed, but not by the five sensesUniversal Law of Attraction – like attracts

likeEmotional energy attracts spiritual energyEarthboundsNon- humanFixed in fear Turning the tablesDemons become angels

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Justification & ValidationTo believe we know the truth from one

epistemological foundation is a mistake

To reject any idea or hypothesis that is based on belief without rigorously testing it is a mistake

Pragmatism – does it work?