The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast Ep. 345: William James on Religious Experience (Part One)
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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.
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James's Approach to Religious Experience
- William James's Varieties of Religious Experience explores religion's psychological dimensions, defending it against scientism.
- It examines individual experiences, especially "religious geniuses," to understand the broader phenomenon.
Secondhand Religion and Religious Geniuses
- James argues that most people experience religion secondhand, derived from the intense experiences of "religious geniuses."
- These extreme cases offer insights into the psychology of religion, accessible to everyone in muted forms.
Mysticism and Emotional Mood
- Mystical experiences lack specific intellectual content and can be combined with various philosophies or theologies.
- These experiences are primarily emotional, focusing on feelings of enlargement, union, and emancipation.