Abstract: Mysticism and schizophrenia are different categories of human existence and experience. Nonetheless, they share certain phenomenological affinities, which are explored in this presentation. First, I examine similarities between experiences antedating the articulation of the mystical experience (unio mystica) and experiences preceding psychosis onset in schizophrenia. Second, I look at similarities in the structural givenness of mystical experiences and primary delusions. Finally, I highlight important discrepancies between these types of experience and potential implications for current consciousness research.
Bio: Mads Gram Henriksen is Associate Professor of Philosophy of Psychiatry at the University of Copenhagen and Senior Researcher at Mental Health Center Amager and Glostrup. He has dual background in Philosophy (MA) and Psychiatry (PhD). His research takes place in the interface between phenomenology and psychopathology with a special focus on schizophrenia spectrum disorders. He has given +175 presentation and made +50 publications.