DISQUS

jfcmkc · 3 weeks ago

Very interesting paralell. Provided that I understand the theory correctly, I would say it is fair to theorize that the nuns of Las Huelgas were in fact "modal fictionalists." I may be strongly in the minority with my theory but I'll contribute nonetheless.

I see the function of religious ritual, such a chant, the rosary, etc. as a sort of mantra for meditation on what those who are pious wish to obtain in their spiritual development. I use the term piety to mean not neccessarily spiritual perfection but rather a wide range of what the function of faith and belief is comfortably for each person's spiritual destiny.

St. Teresa of Avila for example, was said to have "levitated" and or fainted when having received holy communion. I feel this is an interesting parallel because to me it demonstrates that her belief would induce an altered state of mind in which she had some sort of connection with a "world" outside of her own. A sort of "modal fiction" perhaps. The same could be said about St. Rosa de Lima who would suspend herself by her hair in order to deprive herself of sleep to serve penance for the sins of her fellow people, and many other similiar stories. Another thought would be the fairly recent psychological studies on the effects of gregorian chant on the mind and how the brain entered a heightened state of peace and calm for the test subjects.

Therefore I find this idea of the Sisters of Las Huelgas being "modal fictionalists" very interesting in the notion that perhaps these "wishful intentions" that they were chanting about were what they as an order felt were the ultimate spiritual fulfillment that inspired them to make the choice to answer a "calling" to live in a monastic setting and serve their ministries accordingly.

Despite the fact that I may me misinterpreting the theory I find this very interesting!