PHIL 435 Science and Religion
James Essay:
Pick ONE out of the three that you are thoroughly confident in discussing and write a 7 page Essay. Please see attachments for standard essay format, readings (picture attachment with page numbers of readings that was covered in class so you do not have to read/search through the entire book), pdf version of the textbook, power-points etc. to assist you with writing the essay. Essay will be submitted into Turnitin for grading.
1. How does James define religion, for the purpose of the lectures? What are his reasons for this definition? Is the examination of the reality and value of religious experience undermined by the specificity of this definition, or is it useful to narrow the field? Explain your answer.
2. Consider the relation between religion and rationality/morality. In what way does James think they are opposed? What is the unique function religion serves, according to James, and what reasons does he give for this claim? What is the function rationality (through the discipline of philosophy) serves in religion? Do you think James is right in his assessment of the relation between religion and rationality? Explain your answer.
3. What are mystical states, and why does James consider them to be the highest form of religious experience? Is James correct in his assessment of the warrant for truth of these experiences? Is the physical basis of mystical states relevant to either their reality or their value (be sure to include the way to assess value, according to James)? Explain your answer.
