William James on Religious Experience

William James on Religious Experience

1. Background

   • 1852-1910
   • "Father of American psychology"
   • American philosopher and psychologist
   • Wrote The varieties of Religious experience: A study in Human nature
     • Argued the most important book ever written on religious experience

2. Investigations of religious experience

   • Survey types of experience from a psychological standpoint, and present implications for philosophy
     • Analysed experiences including conversion, prayer and saintliness.
       • Conversions are a transformation from a divided or imperfect self to a more unified consciousness. Sudden or gradual
         • Some may never be converted due to cynical or pessimistic identities, whereas others may have "temporary inhibitions."
       • Concentrates on firsthand accounts of experiences
     • Aim to take as objective stance as possible, take accounts seriously and make genuine observations about them
       • More concerned with, "does it work?" rather than, "is it true?"
   • Assumed religious experience was the source of religious institutions, e.g. churches
     • Churches secondary to religious experience.
       • Religious experiences are "solitary" events. The religious institution to which a person belongs is less important
       • Experiences are true religion
   • Religious experiences have a marked effect on those who experience them

3. Characteristics of experience

   • Ineffable
     • Private events beyond the power of human description. E.g. Theresa of Avila
   • Noetic
     • Providing insights into otherwise unobtainable truths. Not just feelings but a deep and direct knowledge of God that could not be achieved purely through reason
   • Transient
     • Effects are temporary, but effects may last a long time - they are disproportionate. Effects can last a lifetime and involve a changed view of the universe
   • Passivity
     • One "loses control" to a more powerful being, and is overwhelmed. There is a sense of being acted upon.
       • Evidence against arguments which claim religious experiences can be willed

4. Main arguments

   • Spiritual value of RE is not undone if one can find psychological explanations
     • James rejects the view that RE is down to a repressed or perverted sexuality (Freud). This is an attempt to discredit religion by those who begin with an antipathy towards it.
     • REs are psychological phenomena in the brain, but may have a supernatural, as well as a spiritual, element.
       • The sub-conscious is in touch with the natural world and the "higher region."
     • The only possible sign that REs are from God is the "good disposition" that results.
     • Experiences are "through the mind" (have no physical causes" and are therefore genuine experiences of the "wholly other."
   • RE is more important than focusing studies on religious institutions. These are secondary.
   • The experiences of great religious figures can set patterns for the conventional believer to study. E.g. The "saintliness" of Theresa of Avila
   • No single feature defines RE. Were merely have a feeling, or 'something there'.
     • RE is "The feelings, acts, and individual experiences of men in their solitude, so far as they apprehend themselves to stand in relation to whatever they may considerthe divine."

5. Analysing James

   • Strengths
     • There are considerable similarities between different REs, suggesting they are more likely to be veridical.
     • Religion, based from the experience of its founders, has been a powerful historical force (David Hay).
     • The effects of REs are markedly powerful, and may be difficult to explain without reference to God.
   • Weaknesses
     • Bertrand Russell: "The fact that a belief has a good moral effect upon a man is no evidence whatsoever in favour of its truth."
       • Heads towards anti-realism
         • The study is too subjective. It focuses on the truth to the individual, rather than truth in the real world.
     • Anthony Flew argues statements which cannot be tested empirically are meaningless. He would reject James' focus on the results of REs
     • Believers tend to interpret their experiences in light of their traditions, making them subjective and personal.
     • James argues some may never be converted. Does this suggest REs are solely psychological?
       • Patricia Churchland: The brain is immensely capable of creating a religious experience

6. Conclusions

   • REs do not demonstrate God's existence. "The only thing it unequivocally testifies to is that we can experience union with something greater than ourselves, and in that union, we find our greatest peace."
   • Mystical experience has authority only over the individual in question.
   • James was a pragmatist. The truth of something is to be determined by its practical effects/consequences.
   • Conclusion based on 3 principles
     • empiricism
       • Case studies are empiracle evidence of the effects of REs
     • Pragmatism
       • Truth is not fixed - it is what ever has great value for us. Thus, there must be some truth behind religion.
     • Pluralism
       • James' experiences of different faiths lead him to conclude they are similar. People may be experiencing the same ultimate reality.