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(2014) Enactive cognition at the edge of sense-making, Dordrecht, Springer.
Traditional shamanism as embodied expertise on sense and non-sense
pp. 266-284
This chapter endeavors to show that there are ancient and embodied practices in many traditional societies whose shamanic expertise includes taming and transforming non-sense into meaningful experience for the individual and collective welfare. First, the notions of embodiment, sense- making, experience, and meaning are introduced and elaborated on in the context of philosophy and cognitive science. Then the concept of non-sense is analyzed by way of distinguishing four senses for it. Next is presented the case of traditional Huichol shamanism, which employs the consciousness-modifier peyote plant in its rituals, where non-sense is manifest sometimes. Last, it is argued that the shamanic expertise on sense and non-sense can be interpreted as a traditional wisdom and practice that fosters the mental health of the individual and his community.
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Full citation:
(2014)., Traditional shamanism as embodied expertise on sense and non-sense, in M. Cappuccio & T. Froese (eds.), Enactive cognition at the edge of sense-making, Dordrecht, Springer, pp. 266-284.
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