States of Consciousness Are Central to a Transpersonal Critique of Contemporary Psychology (Editor's Introduction)

Authors

Glenn Hartelius, California Institute for Human Science, Encinitas, CA, USA

DOI

10.24972/ijts.2025.44.1.iii

Abstract

The framework used by contemporary science is infused with the particularly Western philosophy out of which it emerged. These implicit assumptions in turn shape the lens through which psychological phenomena are studied, with the result that experiences and human capabilities not favored by Western societies are marginalized by its psychology. Efforts to constructively critique these limitations as unscientific bias are regularly rebuffed as challenges to science itself, complicating efforts at correcting this limitation. Early work by Charles Tart articulated the process by which such a paradigm, once established, becomes immune to further questioning.

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Recommended Citation

Hartelius, G. (2025). States of consciousness are central to a transpersonal critique of contemporary psychology (Editor's introduction). International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 44 (1). https://doi.org/10.24972/ijts.2025.44.1.iii