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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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.
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.
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