Philosophy - Religious Experience

Question 1

Religious experience shows that we can be united with something greater than ourselves. Discuss

Answer 1

1. Privacy of individual REs are not reliable or genuine
2. James’ four common features can be critiqued
3. Better for atheists and theists to dismiss REs

Question 2

Individual religious experiences are never to be understood as union with a greater power. Discuss

Answer 2

1. Privacy of individual REs is not reliable or genuine
2. James’ four common features can be critiqued
3. Better for atheists and theists to dismiss REs

Question 3

Corporate religious experiences are less reliable than individual religious experiences. Discuss

Answer 3

1. Privacy of individual REs is not reliable or genuine
2. But corporate is even less reliable
3. Better for atheists and theists to dismiss REs altogether

Question 4

Conversions are not genuine examples of religious experiences. Discuss

Answer 4

1. Swinburne’s testimony and credulity fail
2. Psychological and physiological explanations
3. Better for atheists and theists to dismiss REs

Question 5

Critically discuss the nature of Mystical experience.

Answer 5

1. The non reductionist element is reasonable
2. James’ four common features can be dismissed
3. Better for atheists and theists to dismiss REs

Question 6

Critically assess the views of William James about religious experiences.

Answer 6

1. James’ four common features can be dismissed
2. Psychological explanations are better
3. Better for atheists and theists to dismiss REs