William James - Religious Experience

William James - Religious Experience

1. RE is the foundation of religion

   • 'Solitary' events
   • Religious tradition in irrelevant

2. Great authority for the individual

   • Conversion - religion become central
   • Affect behaviour
   • But ONLY for the individual
   • Doesn't give the mystic authority

3. Characteristics of RE

   • 1. Ineffable
   • 2. Noetic
   • 3. Transient
   • 4. Passive

4. Proof of God: 'good disposition'

   • They leave bad behind
   • Positive results
   • Unlike the stabbing of George Harrison

5. Can be likened to dreams

   • RE linked to subconscious

6. RE alone doesn't prove God

   • Do suggest 'something larger'
     • Does so 'unequivocally'
   • 'psychological phenomena'
     • RE is natural to a person
     • Open to possibility of God