context [william james]

Question 1

William James (1842-1910)

Answer 1

Philosopher and psychologist, was a professor at harvard uni. James acknowledges the variety of experiences, but tries to find some common threads that all REL exp. have in common.

Question 2

‘The Varieties of Religious experiences (his book)

Answer 2

His Gifford lectures of 1901&2 where published as ‘The varieties of Religious Experience’. This text has remained a central work in the philosophy of religion.

Question 3

Ineffability (characteristics of a genuine religious experience)

Answer 3

Experiences beyond our words to express. A mystical state of which the mind is ‘negative’. No words can begin to describe the nature of what one is experiencing

Question 4

Noetic quality (charateristics of a genuine religious experience)

Answer 4

Knowledge given through religious experience unlike the knowledge of any other human experience

Question 5

Transience (characteristics of a genuine religious experience)

Answer 5

Experience for a short time (half an hour max) but effects are life changing (long term)

Question 6

Passivity (characteristics of a genuine religious experience)

Answer 6

Claim they have no will of their own when they are under the influence of a superior power

Question 7

James’ conclusions (empiricism)

Answer 7

James is commited to an empirical approach; this evidence provides us with clues as to the reality beyond what we see and hear

Question 8

James’ conclusions (pluralism)

Answer 8

Experiences in different faiths were similiar - pluralism - which is interpreted into the ‘second hand’ religious belief structure most familiar to them. Proves a link between a Catholic claiming to see Mary and a Hindu, Ganesh (he argues we interpret our experiences)

Question 9

James’ conclusions (pragmatism)

Answer 9

As a pragmatist, James believed the truth was not fixed; whatever has great value for us IS the truth. Therefore, we have conceived there is truth to be found in religion