the experience gives the person an understanding of important truths which cannot be reached through reason alone
what is Transience
Experience is over quickly but the effect can last a life time
what is passivity?
the experience feels like it is being controlled outside themselves - they are the recipients of the experience rather than the instigators.
what is the name of William James' book?
The Varieties of Religious Experience
What was his aim?
to take as objective a stance as he could, taking personal accounts of religious experience seriously and to make observations about them which he hoped would lead to some significant insights
included first-handaccounts of religious experience
Sees conversion as someone who is divided, and conscious of being wrong, becomes more confident about what is right and is happier due to a "consequence of a firmer hold on religious realities"
Argued that a religious experience could be tested for validity. A valid religious experience has lasting positive effects
