Closer To Truth Toward a Cognitive Science of Transcendence
Dec 31, 2025
Helen De Cruz, a philosopher of cognitive science and author of *Wonderstruck*, dives into the intriguing relationship between awe and transcendence. She explores how feelings of awe often pave the way for transcendent experiences, emphasizing that while awe can exist independently, genuine transcendence typically involves a profound sense of change. De Cruz discusses the cognitive implications of these emotions, shedding light on how they shape our understanding of the divine, art, and even community connections through transformative experiences.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Transcendence As Phenomenology Of Oneness
- Transcendence is a felt sense of existence beyond the self that often centers on a phenomenology of oneness.
- It resists precise definition because words fail while feelings rule.
Art Pushes Boundaries Toward Transcendence
- Elisabeth Schellekens links art's role to pushing boundaries and aspiring to be more than the familiar.
- Art can cultivate transcendence across personal and communal dimensions.
Awe Opens Us To Transcendence
- Helen De Cruz locates awe as an accessible emotion tied to vastness and difficulty of grasping.
- Awe helps update our preconceptions and can be a gateway to transcendence when deepened.