James, William Religious Experience

Nonetheless, Munsterberg did not actually invent the term as it turns out, as early as 1890 the noted American psychologist William James, a justly celebrated author of The Varieties of Religious Experience (1901), used the adjective ready-made. Most interesting in this interpretive context is the fact that James employed the term to describe the adherents of the Esoteric Tradition (one of whom later, 1913, actually used the term ready-made), especially those who believed that mediums could actually communicate with the spirits of the dead. James then scoffingly said (notwithstanding his... 

We ll discuss scientists view of parallel universes further in Chapter 6, but for now, notice how close Lovecraft s theories are to those of William James, who wrote in The Varieties of Religious Experience ... 

James, William, The Varieties of Religious Experience A Study in Human Nature (New York Modem Library reprint edition, 1994), first published in 1902. 

Several writers have turned to German or Sanskrit to find more appropriate words, but these have largely been ignored. More notable terms are peak experiences, a term popularized by the psychologist Abraham Maslow altered states, popularized by the psychologist Charles Tart alternative states, coined by Norman Zinberg and cosmic experience, popularized in William James The Varieties of Religious Experience. 

In spite of these warnings and the dangerous consequences of inhalant use, many users will still sniff for the high and the euphoria that drugs can induce. For instance, the philosopher William James found profound realizations of the religious experience after using nitrous oxide. He described some of these experiences in his book. The Varieties of Religious Experience, in 1902 ... 

In his book The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902), William James concluded that religion works, because it passes the pragmatist s test that opens a person to broader insights, greater generosity, self-sacrifice, greater useMness to oneself and others, and opens new possibilities in life. 

James, William, The Varieties of Religious Experience, 1902 London Longmans, 1952. 

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