A Critical Study of the Relationship between Knowledge and Dreaming According to Carlos Castaneda

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Postdoctoral researcher of philosophy in Qom University, qom, Iran

Abstract

The relationship between knowledge and dreaming is considered to be as a main idea of Carlos Castaneda. Based on this theory, he claims that one can conceive knowledge in two ways: first, the knowledge which its objects are material and worldly matters and second, genuine knowledge which is attained in an unnatural state and possesses a non-empirical essence. In this case, dreaming is a situation in which genuine knowledge is obtained and hallucinogenic plants are also a means of realizing this kind of awareness. Apparently, the result of the critical analysis of Castaneda’s view is that his view are not sufficiently coherent; If transcendental knowledge is obtained through the dual domains of human existence, and happiness is also obtained through responding to the mental and physical needs and the realization of material and mental capabilities, can be said Castaneda does not present a precise explanation of the nature of blissful or transcendent knowledge. He only suffices with the claim that non-sensory knowledge or knowledge that arises from intangible things confirms transcendence. On the other hand, genuine knowledge in Castaneda's thought is a kind of awareness realized in the " unnatural state." This knowledge, which is considered as a form of spiritual intuition, is not based on the strengthening of the psychic powers. in reality, gaining knowledge through the use of hallucinogenic plants confirms this claim.
 
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Keywords

References

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