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Category: Epistemology

William James: The Varieties of Religious Experience

William James: The Varieties of Religious Experience

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I have been reading William James’s The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902). The book is interesting and thought-provoking, and covers a number of interesting subjects related to religion. In this passage (pp. 15-16), James discusses truth and feelings: Let us play fair in this whole matter, and be quite candid with ourselves and with the facts. When we think certain states of mind superior to others, is it ever because of what we know concerning their organic antecedents? No! it…

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Replacing religion with UFOs?

Replacing religion with UFOs?

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Note: This is a re-post of a post originally from July 25, 2017. I am reposting because it is more relevant than ever. I will be posting more on this subject. I’ve previously written that Religion is an inescapable part of human nature—it has been a part of all human cultures everywhere and at all times. Religion serves important functions by providing, among other things: 1) a way to make parts of our lives sacred and allow us to commune…

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Re-Religionization: Secularization Can’t Stop Human Nature

Re-Religionization: Secularization Can’t Stop Human Nature

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Note: This is a re-post of a post originally from June 20, 2016. I am reposting because it is more relevant than ever. I will be posting more on this subject. Summary: Religiosity is an inescapable part of human nature. Secularization won’t—can’t—overcome it. Instead, the growing trend of secularization has just led those professing no religion to express their innate religious natures in sub-optimal, ill-thought-out, ad hoc ways. I just finished reading Ritual: Perspectives and Dimensions by Catherine Bell. It…

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