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William James and Religious Experience - Coggle Diagram
William James and Religious Experience
Pragmatism
The effects on and value used by James to emphasise the importance of a religious experience because they show it holds value for the individual.
Example: St Paul. We Can’t prove that his experience was real but what matters is the fruits. The lasting change in his life with his new beliefs.
Pluralism
All religions are valuable and hold truth
Example: James argues that people experience divine in many different ways and all of these can be genuine.
Empiricism
Using observation and evidence
Example: St Paul. He was able to gain empirical knowledge through his religious experience that allowed him to convert his faith.
James conclusions
The divine can not be ruled out
Must exist a larger power beyond our conscious self
relgious experiences point towards the union of something
This alllows us to find supreme comfort and peace
Strengths
Takes religious experience seriously
empirical and open minded
focus On fruits
pluralistic and inclusive
explains sudden conversions
Weaknesses
Subjectivity of experience
problem of conflicting truths
Limited attention to social influences
could validate harmful beliefs
Ambiguity about the divine