Extreme Phenomenology: The Philosophy of Unusual States in India
A Day conference on Monday 2nd June, 2025 at Trinity College, Oxford (and online)
Global Phenomenology: Indic philosophical traditions are full of striking states of consciousness that often b: end or break the usual ways our minds function. Partly rooted in distinctive yogic methods of self-reflection, these Indic philosophies and soteriologies aim at some of the most extreme re-structurings of conscious known to history. Some advise destroying the structures of the ego, some train us to see the world free of all reification or desire, others advise re-identifying as other selves through possession, while still others flood all experience with intense emotion that is itself the target of a uniquely refined enjoyment. Viewed together, these philosophies offer alternative ways of existing as minds.
Creative Technologies of the Self: Where standard phenomenology in the West running through Descartes, Husserl, and Heidegger used introspection to examine the structures of everyday consciousness, Indian traditions were rich in creative technologies of the self, as Foucault put it. As such, they have the potential to vastly expand our sense of what consciousness – and phenomenology – can be.
One-Day Conference In and Beyond Oxford: This day-conference brings together phenomenologists and scholars of Indic traditions to discuss the expanded picture of consciousness and phenomenology itself that we get from exploring these traditions. Papers will be 30min, in short panels focused on discussion. Contributions are welcome on meditative traditions across Asia more broadly; online presentations possible.
All are welcome. Proposals and expressions of interest can be sent to Dr Jessica Frazier at jessica.frazier@theology.ox.ac.uk