The Varieties of Religious Experience · Chapter
Postscript explained
In this postscript, William James clarifies his philosophical stance as a 'piecemeal' or 'crasser' supernaturalist, arguing that religious experience testifies to a larger power beyond ourselves that can be experienced in prayerful communio
What happens
In this postscript, William James clarifies his philosophical stance as a 'piecemeal' or 'crasser' supernaturalist, arguing that religious experience testifies to a larger power beyond ourselves that can be experienced in prayerful communion. He defends the pluralistic hypothesis, suggesting that the divine need not be infinite or solitary, and that the practical consequences of religious belief are paramount. He also addresses the omission of immortality from his lectures, stating that it is a secondary point and that facts are yet lacking to prove spirit-return.
Themes in this chapter
Prayer and Communion with the Divine
James highlights 'prayerful communion' as the phenomenon where something ideal, part of ourselves yet not ourselves, exerts influence and produces regenerative effects.
Pluralism and Diversity of Religious Types
James defends the pluralistic hypothesis, suggesting that the divine need not be infinite or solitary, and that a 'polytheism' of larger selves may be sufficient for religious needs.
Characters to notice
- William James
Author of the Gifford Lectures, clarifying his position as a piecemeal supernaturalist and defending the pluralistic hypothesis.
- Frederick W. H. Myers
Mentioned for his patient labors on spirit-return, which James respects but finds inconclusive.
Key passages
“I feel like a man who must set his back against an open door quickly if he does not wish to see it closed and locked.”
James feels the need to act quickly to prevent the door of piecemeal supernaturalism from being shut by the prevailing intellectual currents.
This metaphor expresses his urgency in defending his position against the dominant academic trend.
“The only thing that it unequivocally testifies to is that we can experience union with something larger than ourselves and in that union find our greatest peace.”
Religious experience clearly shows that we can feel connected to a greater power and find peace in that connection.
James emphasizes the core testimony of religious experience, which does not necessarily support the idea of an infinite, solitary God.