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Within this decade two studies illustrate similar medical approaches to religious experience, this time with reference to Emanuel Swedenborg (1688­1772), eighteenth century scientist, philosopher and theologian. In an article in Epilepsia, Elizabeth Foote-Smith and Timothy J. Smith "diagnose" Swedenborg as suffering from temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).2 These authors locate the origin of Swedenborg's theology in his alleged TLE. Another analysis in a paper entitled "Henry Maudsley on Swedenborg's Messianic Psychosis" by Manchester-based psychiatrist, John Johnson, concludes:

Whether Swedenborg's messianic psychosis was due to acute schizophrenia or an epileptic psychosis will remain a diagnostic enigma.3

Here we find the terms "epileptic psychosis" and "acute schizophrenia" as well as "messianic psychosis." We will see later in this paper that none of these terms are currently in use. Others drawn from research and clinical consensus have replaced them. Even so, in all of these inquiries the threshold question is whether Swedenborg suffered from a mental disorder at all and, if he did, what was it? Before I examine these issues, I need to digress.

The New Philosophy is a publication of the Swedenborg Scientific Association
Incorporated October 20, 1906

This association was organized on May 27, 1898, for the preservation, translation, publication, and distribution of the scientific and philosophical works of Emanuel Swedenborg, and for the promotion of the principles taught in them, having in view likewise their relation to the science and philosophy of the present day.

The views expressed by authors are not necessarily those held by the Editor or the Editorial Board

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 06-37082
ISSN 0028-6443