The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature — Being the Gifford Lectures on Natural Religion Delivered at Edinburgh in 1901–1902
- Author:
- William James (author)
- Language:
- English
- Original language:
- English
- Categories:
- Philosophy, psychology and religion
- Publication year:
- 1902
- Synopsis:
This is the manuscript version of a series of lectures that the Harvard psychologist and philosopher William James gave in Edinburgh between 1901 and 1902 (the so-called Gifford series of lectures given annually at a number of Scottish universities). It explores, as the title implies, varieties of religious experience, from different parts of the world in different times and by different means (although, perhaps only to modern readers, the absence of a full discussion on animistic or primitive or tribal religion is conspicuous). These lectures contain a plethora of case studies, excerpts, and poignant vignettes on whatever the subject happens to be, which really helps give the expositions more context.
- Review:
I think I will have to re-read this book eventually, as I don't feel I can give a proper review not having really understood it completely.
- Has read?
- Yes
- Table of Contents:
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- LECTURE I: Religion and Neurology
- LECTURE II: Circumscription of the Topic
- LECTURE III: The Reality of the Unseen
- LECTURES IV AND V: The Religion of Healthy-mindedness
- LECTURES VI AND VII: The Sick Soul
- LECTURE VIII: The Divided Self, and the Process of its Unification
- LECTURE IX: Conversion
- LECTURE X: Conversion—concluded
- LECTURES XI, XII, AND XIII: Saintliness
- LECTURES XIV AND XV: The Value of Saintliness
- LECTURES XVI AND XVII: Mysticism
- LECTURE XVIII: Philosophy
- LECTURE XIX: Other Characteristics
- LECTURE XX: Conclusions
- Postscript