When mystics have prophets for dinner : a critical biographical analysis of William Blake's visions using Abraham Mastlow's [i.e. Maslow's] theories of self-actualization and peak-experiences

Abstract

William Blake is well-known as a visionary poet, but his visions have yet to be explained outside of being mystical or imaginative experiences. According to Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, people are able to reach self-actualization, or a level of which all of their needs are met. Self-actualizing people are simply high-functioning human beings, according to Maslow. A few characteristics of those functioning at this level include creativity, uniqueness, the need for justice, and most importantly, peak experiences. Peak-experiences were defined by Maslow as times when one feels deeply connected to everything and claims to see things as they truly are. I believe peak experiences to be the spaces form which Blake experienced his visions. I will be comparing Blake's visions and his personality traits to Maslow's definitions of peak-experiences and self-actualization in order to who that Blake's visions now have a category.