1 Article by Tanya Marie Luhrmann
Shifting Between Models of Mind: New Insights Into How Human Minds Give Rise to Experiences of Spiritual Presence and Alternative Realities.
Topics in cognitive science – March 09, 2025
Summary
Experiences of spiritual presence, like hearing divine voices, reveal how our minds can shift between different cognitive attitudes. A study of 1,779 U.S. adults shows that when individuals embrace cultural models and exhibit epistemic flexibility, they can access profound spiritual experiences. This interplay of mental models enhances creativity and insight in various domains.
Abstract
Phenomenal experiences of immaterial spiritual beings-hearing the voice of God, seeing the spirit of an ancestor-are a valuable and largely untappe...