1900's Religion | The Varieties of Religious Experience

Lecture

By: William James

Date: 1902

Source: James, William. The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature. New York: Longmans, Green, 1902. Available online at http://www.psywww.com/psyrelig/james/james15.htm (accessed April 15, 2003).

About the Author: William James (1842–1910) was born in New York City and in 1869 received his doctorate from Harvard, where he taught philosophy and psychology from 1872 to 1907. In 1890 he published Principles of Psychology, which also contained his views on philosophy. In addition, he was noted for his interest in the psychology of the religious experience.

Introduction

At the turn of the twentieth century, there was an ongoing academic battle between theologians who affirmed their belief in God and scientists who rejected any...