The Superhumanities: Historical Precedents, Mor... Apr 2026

: Engaging with critical theories—including feminist, queer, Black critical, and postcolonial perspectives—to ensure this new paradigm is inclusive and pluralistic.

In his book , Jeffrey J. Kripal challenges the traditional humanities to move beyond purely critical or "depressing" analyses of human history. He argues for a reimagined discipline—the superhumanities —that restores the paranormal, mystical, and anomalous to the center of academic inquiry. Core Themes and Concepts The Superhumanities: Historical Precedents, Mor...

: Kripal uses "super" to mean "above and beyond" ordinary norms. He suggests that the humanities should study not just social and political interactions (the "chess pieces"), but also the broader, extraordinary experiences that shape human reality. : Tracing the presence of the fantastic throughout

: Tracing the presence of the fantastic throughout humanistic disciplines. but also the broader

: Examining how contemporary sciences and the study of the paranormal can inform a more holistic understanding of human identity.

: Kripal advocates for a view of the human being as both a "historically conditioned social animal" and an "evolved cosmic species" capable of extraordinary transcendent experiences. Structure and Approach

: The book highlights how altered states of consciousness, precognitive dreams, and "superhuman" abilities have historically driven the creative processes of major authors, artists, and thinkers.