Ads
related to: william james on religious experiences
Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature is a book by Harvard University psychologist and philosopher William James.It comprises his edited Gifford Lectures on natural theology, which were delivered at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland between 1901 and 1902.
The notion of "religious experience" can be traced back to William James, who used the term "religious experience" in his book, The Varieties of Religious Experience. [15] It is considered to be the classic work in the field, and references to James' ideas are common at professional conferences.
William James provided a description of mystical experience in his famous collection of lectures published in 1902 as The Varieties of Religious Experience. [62] He posits four criteria as "sufficient to mark out a group of states of consciousness" which may be called the "mystical group."
(—William James, "The Sentiment of Rationality") The doctrine James developed in his "The Will to Believe" lecture was later extended by his protégé F. C. S. Schiller in his lengthy essay "Axioms as Postulates". In this work, Schiller downplays the connection between James' doctrine and religious positions like God and immortality.
The best fruits of the religious experience are the best things history has to offer. The highest flights of charity, devotion, trust, patience, and bravery to which the wings of human nature have spread themselves, have all been flown for religious ideals.” ― William James, The Varieties of Religious Experience
It is closely related to "mysticism" but lays sole emphasis on the experiential aspect, be it spontaneous or induced by human behavior, whereas mysticism encompasses a broad range of practices aiming at a transformation of the person, not just inducing mystical experiences. William James' The Varieties of Religious Experience is the classic ...
Schleiermacher used the idea of "religious experience" to defend religion against the growing scientific and secular critique. Many scholars of religion, of whom William James was the most influential, adopted the concept. [137] Major Asian influences on contemporary spirituality have included Swami Vivekananda [138] (1863–1902) and D. T. Suzuki.
He conducted surveys of religious belief and conversion using questionnaires along with G. Stanley Hall at Clark University and published several papers of his findings. He later published the book Psychology of Religion (1899) and also contributed to the work of William James' Varieties of Religious Experience (1902). [2]