The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

Ep. 345: William James on Religious Experience (Part One)

Jul 8, 2024

Philosopher William James discusses religious experience as a sincere reaction to the world, more emotional than intellectual. The podcast explores personal connections to higher powers, confronting evil for deeper experiences, and the yearning for something beyond the ordinary. It delves into mystical encounters, comparing concrete perceptions with abstract concepts, and emphasizes the subjective nature of religious experiences.

46:34

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William James

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Quick takeaways

Religion, according to William James, is a sincere emotional reaction to the world, more personal than intellectual.

Personal religious experiences are distinguished from institutionalized forms, emphasizing unique emotional and presence-based encounters.

Emotions, such as cheerful zest for life, play a critical role in religious faith, providing endurance and meaning.

Deep dives

Discussion on the Philosophy of Religion

The podcast delves into the philosophy of religion by exploring what religion is and how philosophers should study it. William James' book, 'The Varieties of Religious Experience,' is examined as a key text to understand the psychological and intellectual aspects of religion. The podcast hosts discuss the book's exploration of religious apologetics, psychology, and the vindication of religion against scientific reductionism.

People can react to unseen, abstract concepts in everyday situations, such as po…

00:54

Religious experiences, unlike aesthetic ones, connect to faith and broader ideas…

01:42

Intro

2min

Exploring Unexpected Aspects of a Book on Religion and Psychology

2min

Exploring William James' Views on Personal Religious Experiences

13min

William James' Classification of Religious Experiences

4min

Exploring the Religious Sentiment and Desire for Something More

2min

Exploration of Religious Experience and Personal Connection to the World

2min

Exploring Abstract Concepts and Religious Experiences

18min

Exploring William James's Perspective on Religious Experience and Subjectivity

4min

On The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902), focusing on lectures 1-3 and 20. What is religion and how should philosophers study it?

James describes it as a sincere, full-life reaction to the world, more emotional than intellectual, and conveys the experiences of the extreme "religious geniuses" that are merely received second or third hand by the believing masses.

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The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

Ep. 345: William James on Religious Experience (Part One)

Episode guests