Varieties of Religious Experience the

Publisher Description

William James was a member of the generation that founded American psychology and philosophy; his work in both these fields placed James in the forefront of the intellectual and cultural ferment that marked late 19th century America.;In this classic work, he turned his attention to the psychology of religion. He examines such phenomena as conversion, repentance, mysticism, and saintliness; his observations and theoretical speculation are accompanied by personal accounts of religious experience. James believed that organized religion stifled the natural religious impulse; his belief in personal experience as the only true source of religious feeling led to a remarkable tolerance for extreme forms of religious behavior.