The Influence of Extraordinary Encounters with Non-Human Intelligence on Beliefs, Value, and Worldview
Faculty Department
Philosophy
Presentation Type
Powerpoint
Location
H339
Zoom Link
Start Date
26-2-2025 4:30 PM
End Date
26-2-2025 4:50 PM
Description (Abstract)
This paper describes a phenomenological study conducted in the summer of 2023 with individuals who self-report experiences with a perceived non-human intelligence. Utilizing the phenomenological method, I suspend judgment on the source or origin of the phenomena, while taking in all that appeared as an object of conscious experience. Additionally, participants were asked how these experiences had affected their beliefs, values, and worldviews. Participants showed shifts towards a more universal form of spirituality, a decreased fear or apprehension of death, a shift towards seeing time as cyclical or happening all at once, and a shift towards seeing consciousness as the foundation of reality. Participants expressed shifts in their views of relationships, an increased respect and concern for the Earth’s welfare and the welfare of plants and animals, and shifted to less respect for capitalism and politicians. Participants also expressed changes in the ways they thought about social issues like criminal justice and education. Similarities between the worldview expressed by experiencers and the “mestiza consciousness” of Gloria Anzaldúa and the “kinship worldview” of Wahinkpe Topa and Daria Narvaez are identified. It is argued that the experiencer worldview develops on the margins of what society deems possible and thus outside the confines of the dominant scientific worldview.
Keywords
phenomenology, values, close encounters, kinship worldview
Related Pillar(s)
Spirituality, Study
The Influence of Extraordinary Encounters with Non-Human Intelligence on Beliefs, Value, and Worldview
H339
This paper describes a phenomenological study conducted in the summer of 2023 with individuals who self-report experiences with a perceived non-human intelligence. Utilizing the phenomenological method, I suspend judgment on the source or origin of the phenomena, while taking in all that appeared as an object of conscious experience. Additionally, participants were asked how these experiences had affected their beliefs, values, and worldviews. Participants showed shifts towards a more universal form of spirituality, a decreased fear or apprehension of death, a shift towards seeing time as cyclical or happening all at once, and a shift towards seeing consciousness as the foundation of reality. Participants expressed shifts in their views of relationships, an increased respect and concern for the Earth’s welfare and the welfare of plants and animals, and shifted to less respect for capitalism and politicians. Participants also expressed changes in the ways they thought about social issues like criminal justice and education. Similarities between the worldview expressed by experiencers and the “mestiza consciousness” of Gloria Anzaldúa and the “kinship worldview” of Wahinkpe Topa and Daria Narvaez are identified. It is argued that the experiencer worldview develops on the margins of what society deems possible and thus outside the confines of the dominant scientific worldview.
Short Biography
Kimberly S. Engels is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Molloy. She is Director of Research at the John Mack Institute, Advisory Board Member for the Society for UAP Studies. Her research focuses on Ethics, phenomenology, and anomalous experience.