William James's contribution to religious studies: justification of personal religious experience

Abstract

The article examines the views and scientific contributions of William James (1842-1910), founder of the psychology of religion. Within the context of his era's scientific, philosophical, and religious trends, it analyzes James's role in shaping a new perspective on religion based on pragmatism and empiricism. James demonstrated the potential and importance of religious faith. His primary contribution to religious studies lies in comprehensively proving that personal religious experiences linked to sincere faith and various psychological and mystical states provide spiritual support, transform consciousness, and merit serious study. Opposing rationalism, dogmatism, and "medical materialism," his methodology justified religion from pragmatic and vital perspectives as a unique phenomenon capable of resolving consciousness crises and unlocking vital energy reserves. James's innovative idea that religion's essence lies not in onto-theological foundations but in subjective-psychological human experiences profoundly influenced religious studies, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, and theology, establishing him as a scholar who fundamentally transformed methodological approaches. The article's authors prove that the ideas of the American philosopher and psychologist are still valuable today. William James's book "The Varieties of Religious Experience" is important as a scientific and methodological foundation for research of personal religious experience and mystical phenomena.

Keywords: William James, psychology of religion, pragmatism, personality, religious experience