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Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) in the Perspectives of Philosophy, Neuroscience, Neuro-Psychology, and Tasawuf

Jurnal Iman dan Spiritualitas · Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026) · pp. 663–676

DOI
10.15575/jis.v6i2.55101
ISSN
2775-4596
Published
2026-04-14
Publisher
UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Abstract

This study critically examines Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) through the combined lenses of philosophy and modern neuroscience. It aims to investigate how NLP conceptualizes the relationship between mind, language, and embodied experience, and to what extent its theoretical foundations align with contemporary understandings of consciousness. Employing a qualitative, library-based methodology using conceptual analysis, hermeneutics, and comparative neurocognitive review, this study analyzes primary NLP formulations by Bandler and Grinder alongside philosophical perspectives from Wittgenstein, Merleau-Ponty, and Gadamer, as well as neuroscientific findings on neuroplasticity, mirror neurons, and predictive processing. The findings reveal that NLP provides a constructivist model of consciousness in which meaning, perception, and behavior emerge from the dynamic interaction of neural processes, linguistic structures, and subjective experience. However, its scientific validity remains limited due to the scarcity of consistent empirical evidence, and several NLP techniques rely heavily on anecdotal claims. The study also finds that NLP’s theoretical framework tends to simplify complex ontological questions about consciousness, indicating the need for deeper engagement with phenomenology and neurophilosophy. A major limitation of this research lies in its reliance on textual analysis without empirical examination of NLP practices in therapeutic or cultural settings. Practically, the study recommends a more rigorous integration of NLP with contemporary neuroscience and ethical guidelines to prevent misuse in interpersonal communication, therapy, and political persuasion. Contribution: This research contributes to the philosophy of mind by proposing a synthesis of NLP with neuroscience and phenomenology, presenting it as a Neuro-Linguistic-Phenomenological Programming framework. Practically, it offers a conceptual foundation for the responsible application of NLP in education, communication, and religious or spiritual studies, emphasizing ethical awareness and evidence-based practice.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

20 authors · 38 co-authorship links

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  • Sunan Gunung Djati State Islamic University Bandung
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Cucu SetiawanAffiliation unknown2
Badruzzaman M. YunusAffiliation unknown1
Fithria Khusno AmaliaAffiliation unknown1
R.F. Bhanu ViktorahadiAffiliation unknown1
Mohammad Taufiq RahmanAffiliation unknown1
Jajang A RohmanaSunan Gunung Djati State Islamic University Bandung1
Dody S. TrunaAffiliation unknown1
M. Dewangga WidhiaAffiliation unknown1
Afif MuhammadAffiliation unknown1
Dadang KahmadAffiliation unknown1
Yana SutianaAffiliation unknown1
Muhlas MuhlasSunan Gunung Djati State Islamic University Bandung1
Panji Guniwa Aria AwanggaAffiliation unknown1
Munir MunirAffiliation unknown1
Yudaningsih YudaningsihAffiliation unknown1
Muliadi MuliadiAffiliation unknown1
Nurul ZaidahAffiliation unknown1
Aab Abdilah MursyidAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.uinsgd.ac.id/index.php/jis/oai, first harvested 7 Nov 2026, last seen 8 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en-US">Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) in the Perspectives of Philosophy, Neuroscience, Neuro-Psychology, and Tasawuf</dc:title>
	<dc:creator>Atamimi, Muhamad</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator>Solihin, Muhtar</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">consciousness</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">embodied cognition</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">language</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">neuroscience</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">phenomenology</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">philosophy of mind</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en-US">spirituality</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en-US">This study critically examines Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) through the combined lenses of philosophy and modern neuroscience. It aims to investigate how NLP conceptualizes the relationship between mind, language, and embodied experience, and to what extent its theoretical foundations align with contemporary understandings of consciousness. Employing a qualitative, library-based methodology using conceptual analysis, hermeneutics, and comparative neurocognitive review, this study analyzes primary NLP formulations by Bandler and Grinder alongside philosophical perspectives from Wittgenstein, Merleau-Ponty, and Gadamer, as well as neuroscientific findings on neuroplasticity, mirror neurons, and predictive processing. The findings reveal that NLP provides a constructivist model of consciousness in which meaning, perception, and behavior emerge from the dynamic interaction of neural processes, linguistic structures, and subjective experience. However, its scientific validity remains limited due to the scarcity of consistent empirical evidence, and several NLP techniques rely heavily on anecdotal claims. The study also finds that NLP’s theoretical framework tends to simplify complex ontological questions about consciousness, indicating the need for deeper engagement with phenomenology and neurophilosophy. A major limitation of this research lies in its reliance on textual analysis without empirical examination of NLP practices in therapeutic or cultural settings. Practically, the study recommends a more rigorous integration of NLP with contemporary neuroscience and ethical guidelines to prevent misuse in interpersonal communication, therapy, and political persuasion.
Contribution: This research contributes to the philosophy of mind by proposing a synthesis of NLP with neuroscience and phenomenology, presenting it as a Neuro-Linguistic-Phenomenological Programming framework. Practically, it offers a conceptual foundation for the responsible application of NLP in education, communication, and religious or spiritual studies, emphasizing ethical awareness and evidence-based practice.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en-US">UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2026-04-14</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.uinsgd.ac.id/index.php/jis/article/view/55101</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.15575/jis.v6i2.55101</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en-US">Jurnal Iman dan Spiritualitas; Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026): Jurnal Iman dan Spiritualitas; 663-676</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2775-4596</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.uinsgd.ac.id/index.php/jis/article/view/55101/16356</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en-US">Copyright (c) 2026 Muhamad Atamimi, Muhtar Solihin</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en-US">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>