Staff Pick
Are you curious about the psychology of conversions? Looking for a defense of spiritual or metaphysical pluralism? Do you consider yourself more or less an empiricist? Read this book. William James, philosopher and psychologist, writes in rigorous and vigorous prose while masterfully mixing psychology, history, religious anthropology, and more into one of the few truly open-hearted and welcoming works of modern philosophy. Recommended By Jonathan V. B., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
One of America's greatest philosophers, William James was "original, exciting, and cosmopolitan...a major philosophical planet who...drew all...other pragmatic luminaries into his powerful field" (Morton Hunt). In this still timely classic, James examines the range of religious phenomena: conversion, repentance, mysticism, saintliness, the hopes of reward and the fears of punishment.