International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 2024
This paper provides an assessment and clarification of the metaphysical status of the participato... more This paper provides an assessment and clarification of the metaphysical status of the participatory approach to transpersonal and spiritual phenomena (Ferrer, 2002, 2017a). To that end, I first respond to several criticisms of the approach issued by scholars in recent years; for instance, that it hides a perennialist metaphysics (e.g., Abramson, 2015) or that it is metaphysically vague (e.g., Taylor, 2021). After reviewing these critical discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic, treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 2024
This paper provides an assessment and clarification of the metaphysical status of the participato... more This paper provides an assessment and clarification of the metaphysical status of the participatory approach to transpersonal and spiritual phenomena (Ferrer, 2002, 2017a). To that end, I first respond to several criticisms of the approach issued by scholars in recent years; for instance, that it hides a perennialist metaphysics (e.g., Abramson, 2015) or that it is metaphysically vague (e.g., Taylor, 2021). After reviewing these critical discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic, treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
Both in everyday life and scholarly discourse, monogamists and polyamorists tend to unfavorably p... more Both in everyday life and scholarly discourse, monogamists and polyamorists tend to unfavorably portray one another as somehow flawed, misguided, or, in a word, “inferior.” This article documents and critically examines two pairs of interlocked psychosocial attitudes—monopride/polyphobia and polypride/monophobia—mediating this predicament of mutual competition in the context of Western mononormative culture. The ideological nature of these “mono–poly wars” is demonstrated through a brief review of empirical literature on the psychological health and relationship quality of monogamous and polyamorous individuals and couples. The article concludes by outlining a critical pluralist approach that eschews universalizing hierarchies between monogamy and polyamory, and provides tools for making qualitative distinctions within and among relational styles.
While the traditional understanding of monogamy and nonmonogamy as polar opposites has been decon... more While the traditional understanding of monogamy and nonmonogamy as polar opposites has been deconstructed, the conceptual and experiential territory beyond the non/monogamy system (and attendant mono/poly binary) has not been systematically discussed. This article considers three plural relational modes—fluidity, hybridity, and transcendence—that disrupt and arguably outdo the non/monogamy system. Moving beyond the mono/poly binary opens up a fuzzy, liminal, and multivocal semantic-existential space this article terms nougamy. After describing several transbinary pathways, the article concludes by sketching a critical pluralist approach that eschews universal sequences or hierarchies among monogamy, nonmonogamy, and nougamy, as well as provides tools for the making of qualitative distinctions both within and among relational styles. Keywords: monogamy, nonmonogamy, polyamory, non/monogamy system, nougamy
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 2024
This paper provides an assessment and clarification of the metaphysical status of the participato... more This paper provides an assessment and clarification of the metaphysical status of the participatory approach to transpersonal and spiritual phenomena (Ferrer, 2002, 2017a). To that end, I first respond to several criticisms of the approach issued by scholars in recent years; for instance, that it hides a perennialist metaphysics (e.g., Abramson, 2015) or that it is metaphysically vague (e.g., Taylor, 2021). After reviewing these critical discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic, treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 2024
This paper provides an assessment and clarification of the metaphysical status of the participato... more This paper provides an assessment and clarification of the metaphysical status of the participatory approach to transpersonal and spiritual phenomena (Ferrer, 2002, 2017a). To that end, I first respond to several criticisms of the approach issued by scholars in recent years; for instance, that it hides a perennialist metaphysics (e.g., Abramson, 2015) or that it is metaphysically vague (e.g., Taylor, 2021). After reviewing these critical discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic, treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
Both in everyday life and scholarly discourse, monogamists and polyamorists tend to unfavorably p... more Both in everyday life and scholarly discourse, monogamists and polyamorists tend to unfavorably portray one another as somehow flawed, misguided, or, in a word, “inferior.” This article documents and critically examines two pairs of interlocked psychosocial attitudes—monopride/polyphobia and polypride/monophobia—mediating this predicament of mutual competition in the context of Western mononormative culture. The ideological nature of these “mono–poly wars” is demonstrated through a brief review of empirical literature on the psychological health and relationship quality of monogamous and polyamorous individuals and couples. The article concludes by outlining a critical pluralist approach that eschews universalizing hierarchies between monogamy and polyamory, and provides tools for making qualitative distinctions within and among relational styles.
While the traditional understanding of monogamy and nonmonogamy as polar opposites has been decon... more While the traditional understanding of monogamy and nonmonogamy as polar opposites has been deconstructed, the conceptual and experiential territory beyond the non/monogamy system (and attendant mono/poly binary) has not been systematically discussed. This article considers three plural relational modes—fluidity, hybridity, and transcendence—that disrupt and arguably outdo the non/monogamy system. Moving beyond the mono/poly binary opens up a fuzzy, liminal, and multivocal semantic-existential space this article terms nougamy. After describing several transbinary pathways, the article concludes by sketching a critical pluralist approach that eschews universal sequences or hierarchies among monogamy, nonmonogamy, and nougamy, as well as provides tools for the making of qualitative distinctions both within and among relational styles. Keywords: monogamy, nonmonogamy, polyamory, non/monogamy system, nougamy
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Books by Jorge Ferrer
Papers by Jorge Ferrer
discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic,
treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic,
treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
Keywords: monogamy, nonmonogamy, polyamory, non/monogamy system, nougamy
Book Reviews by Jorge Ferrer
discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic,
treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
discussions, I describe the open and minimalist nature of the participatory metaphysics, arguing that such features cultivate a fertile soil for transpersonal scholarship, human flourishing, and interreligious relations. Applying a biomimetic approach, I argue that spiritual pluralism can be better understood—and more positively appreciated—when seen as an expression of life’s diversification. In this spirit, I suggest that rhizomatic,
treelike images are helpful to visualize not only religious traditions’ differences and similarities, but also the problems of neo-perennialist and essentialist accounts of spirituality. I conclude with a vindication of the eminently pragmatist, edifying, and transformative nature of the participatory approach.
Keywords: monogamy, nonmonogamy, polyamory, non/monogamy system, nougamy