ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the metaphysical relationship between the separation of the soul and the inception of higher cognitive states in the writings of Thomas Aquinas. It begins with an account of his psychological theory followed by a discussion of general metaphysical principles concerning the relationship between immateriality and cognitivity. The chapter indicates how Thomas's philosophical understanding of the conditions of the possibility of higher cognitive modalities may contribute to a debate in the contemporary study of mysticism. Before examining more closely Thomas's treatment of rapture itself, it will be of value to consider the metaphysical basis of this and other phenomena that involve some kind of enhanced cognitive operation or higher spiritual reception. Thomas also uses the immateriality-cognitivity link to understand the possibility of a cognitive operation and reception that in some way exceeds the normal mode of human understanding described in his psychology.
