The Varieties of Religious Experience

Daily Devotional  by 
William James

A philosophical and psychological account of religious tolerance and social cohesion, written for years, The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James is a lifelong pursuit of the examination of a study in human nature. This book is a collection of 20 lectures. These lectures focused on the essence of religion and, in James’ opinion, the academic study of religion’s neglect of science. When it was first published in June 1902, The Varieties of Religious Experience became an instant bestseller. It claims that individual religious experiences, rather than the beliefs of organized religions, form the backbone of religious life, reflecting the pluralistic views of a psychologist turned philosopher William James. Conversion, repentance, mysticism, and the hope of reward versus the fear of punishment in the afterlife are all discussed by James.