The Variety of Religious Experience

The life of American philosopher William James (1842—1910), a leading representative of pragmatism and functionalism, who is often called the "father of modern psychology," was not rich in events, except for the fact that he was honored twice to lead the American Psychological Association, founded the first applied psychology laboratory in the U.S. at Harvard, where he taught without interruption, and later became interested in spiritualism. However, after the death of the great scholar, the adventures of his theories began, which were sometimes refuted and overthrown, sometimes raised back to a pedestal, and sometimes conveniently forgotten — only to return to them decades later. "The Variety of Religious Experience" is one of James's most famous works, in which he focuses on the psychological issues of religious and mystical experiences, sharply delineates the psychological nature of philosophical experience and its philosophical significance, and points out the necessity to distinguish the practical value of any religious phenomenon from the question of the origin of that phenomenon, rejecting the idea of the superiority of science over religion, insisting on their separate and incomparable value, and creating a genuine classification of the most essential features of religious life — from the priority of the believer's spiritual world over the visible one to his confidence in salvation.

3 reasons to buy this book:

1. One of the key works on the study of religions.

2. William James — the father of modern psychology, a leading representative of pragmatism and functionalism.

3. In a convenient pocket format in the beloved design of the legendary series "Exclusive Classics."