Noble American Lives: Biographies of America's Religious Thinkers and Believers

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson continues reading from his fourth book, examining William James, a prominent American philosopher and Harvard professor. The session delves into James's perspectives on asceticism, mysticism, and the philosophy of religion. James's thoughts on the spiritual significance of asceticism, despite its shift in value, and his exploration of mysticism's ineffable qualities and its transcendental impact on human consciousness are discussed at length. The analysis further touches on James's critique of intellectual philosophy concerning religious experience and the pragmatic evaluation of religious concepts. The episode provides a comprehensive look into how James distinguished between feeling and thought in religion, highlighting the limitations of dogmatic theology and intellectual philosophy in truly capturing the essence of religious experiences. (00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (00:19) Overview of the Books and Series (01:22) Previous Episodes Recap (02:41) Today's Focus: William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy (03:46) Biography of William James (03:48) William James on Asceticism and Heroism (09:34) Mysticism and Its Traits (16:02) Philosophy of Religion (23:22) Catholic vs. Protestant Aesthetics (24:43) Sacrifice, Confession, and Prayer (25:56) Automatism in Religion (28:44) Conclusions on Religion

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, hosted by William H. Benson, listeners are taken through a detailed reading and discussion from his fourth book, 'The Parallel Lives of the Noble American Religious Thinkers and Believers: William James versus Mary Baker Eddy.' The focus is on William James, a Harvard College professor and eminent American philosopher. Benson delves into James' lectures and writings on topics such as the divided self, the process of unification, conversion, saintliness, and the psychological underpinnings of religious experiences. Detailed comparisons, historical contexts, and philosophical analyses are woven throughout the narrative, providing comprehensive insights into James' views on religion and personal transformation. (00:00) Introduction to the Noble American Lives Podcast (00:19) Overview of the Parallel Lives Series (01:24) First Book: Roger Williams vs. Cotton Mather (01:45) Second Book: Thomas Payne vs. George Whitfield (02:14) Third Book: Ralph Waldo Emerson vs. Joseph Smith (02:47) Current Episode: William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy (03:54) William James on the Divided Self (07:41) The Process of Conversion (19:50) Saintliness and Its Characteristics (22:20) Evaluating Religion and Saintliness (26:36) The Extremes of Saintliness (29:50) The Impact of Saintly Behavior

In episode 122 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson continues his reading from his book on the life of William James. The episode delves into James's work 'The Will to Believe' and his attempts to reconcile science and religion. It also discusses key moments in James's life, including his significant speech at the Robert Gould Shaw monument dedication, his struggles with heart issues, and his lectures on the psychology of religious experience. The episode highlights James's observations on 'healthy-minded' and 'sick-soul' temperaments, his views on evolution, and his exploration of religious experiences in his book 'The Varieties of Religious Experience.' (00:00) Introduction to the Noble American Lives Podcast (00:18) Overview of the Series and Books (01:20) Previous Episodes Recap (02:41) Current Episode: William James vs. Mary Baker Eddie (03:35) Biography of William James (03:46) William James' Philosophical Contributions (06:18) William James' Personal Life and Health (09:48) William James' European Journey and Lectures (13:47) The Varieties of Religious Experience (26:53) Healthy Mindedness vs. The Sick Soul (31:52) Conclusion: The Completeness of Religions

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson delves into the life of William James, the acclaimed Harvard professor and American philosopher. Continuing from his fourth book, Benson discusses the impact of William James on psychology and philosophy, his teaching methods, and his personal life including the loss of his mother and the correspondence with his family. Touching on Jame's significant works like 'The Principles of Psychology,' the episode also highlights his thoughts on habit formation and his advocacy for mental therapy practices outside mainstream medicine. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 01:24 Overview of Previous Books 02:41 Current Episode: William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy 03:47 Biography of William James 14:45 William James' Academic Career 17:15 William James' Philosophical Contributions 23:03 William James' Later Life and Legacy

William James: Struggles and Triumphs In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson delves into the life of William James. The discussion includes James's early years, his struggles with physical and mental health, and his academic journey. Benson highlights James's time in Europe, his philosophical insights, and his eventual marriage to Alice Howe Gibbons. The episode also covers James's professional accomplishments, including his teaching career at Harvard and his contributions to psychology and philosophy. (00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (00:19) Overview of the Series (01:22) Previous Books Recap (02:40) Current Episode: William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy (03:44) William James' Early Career and Health Struggles (05:08) William James' European Sojourn (13:11) Philosophical Crisis and Recovery (18:55) Return to America and Academic Career (22:32) Marriage and Family Life (31:08) Final Years and Legacy