William James and mystical experience
I can explain William James' understanding of religious and mystical experiences and how they contribute to the question of God's existence.
William James and mystical experience
I can explain William James' understanding of religious and mystical experiences and how they contribute to the question of God's existence.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- William James studied religious experiences from a psychologist's perspective and explained their impact on philosophy.
- He relied on observation, conversation and evidence of impact to reach his conclusions.
- William James identified four features of mystical experience.
- He did not seek to prove the existence of a particular God or gods.
- William James concluded that his research leads to a likelihood of a god existing.
Keywords
Mystical experience - a religious experience where someone feels a deep personal connection to a higher power
Pragmatism - a philosophical approach that assesses ideas based on their usefulness in real-life situations
Religious experience - personal feeling or moment when someone believes they connect with a higher power
William James - 20th century psychologist and philosopher who popularised pragmatism
Common misconception
Students may think James had a clear view on the existence of God.
James' investigtions led him to be agnostic and open to the idea of God rather than to be a believer.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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