William James was a philosopher and psychologist from New York City.In the book ‘the varieties of religious experience’, James concluded that religious experience testifies that “we can experience union with something larger that ourselves and in that union find our greatest peace”. He defined such experiences as “experiences of the divine” and believed that religious experience was at the heart of religion, true religion unlike religious teachings, practices and attitudes as these, for James are ‘second hand’ religion which later develops as individuals reflect on their common experience. It is the actual experience which points to God. However this theory does little to prove religious experiences simply because many of his claims do not stand up to critical analysis.
James looked at a variety of religious experiences, particularly mystical experiences, this refers to experiences where God is revealed directly and there is a sense of oneness with the divine. James claimed that there are 4 criteria which are all characteristics of mystical experiences. Firstly an experience has to be ineffable, meaning that it is beyond proper description as it cannot adequately be described in words, language limitations prevent description. It also must be noetic, not just feelings but however the experience gives you a deep and direct knowledge of God which could not have been achieved through reason alone. Another criteria of mystical experience is that it must be transient, the experience is temporary and cannot be sustained, although its effects may last a long time it can develop and deepen with subsequent experiences and the effects can last a lifetime. Finally, it must be passive, the experience is not initiated by the individual but they have a sense that something is acting upon them instead.
James accepted that religious experiences are psychological phenomena that