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

• William James: Reconciling Science and Religion

  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

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• Exploring the Life of William James Continued

  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

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• William James: Struggles and Triumphs

  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

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• William Jame's Early Life & Influences

  In episode 119 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson continues reading from his fourth book, focusing on William James, an influential American philosopher and Harvard professor. The episode highlights William James's early life, his family's history, and his exposure to Emmanuel Swedenborg's religious views which greatly influenced his father. The narrative delves into William's academic journey, his family's frequent relocations, their ties with notable individuals like Ralph Waldo Emerson, and his eventual decision to pursue medicine at Harvard. This episode also touches on William's experiences in the Amazon under the guidance of Louis Agassiz, offering insights into his struggles and eventual realizations about his career path. (00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (01:22) Overview of Previous Books and Episodes (02:40) Current Episode: William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy (03:40) Biography of William James: Early Influences (08:37) The James Family's European Travels (17:31) William James' Academic Pursuits (25:42) William James' Expedition to Brazil

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• Ralph Waldo Emerson vs. Joseph Smith: Conclusion

  In episode 117 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson concludes his third book by exploring the contrasting lives and philosophies of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Joseph Smith. The episode dramatizes a stage discussion featuring historical figures who critique and debate the legacies of Emerson and Smith. The conversation covers morality, theology, and the impact of their beliefs on American religious history, illuminating the profound differences and occasional similarities between an intellectual transcendentalist and a religious prophet. The episode ends with both men presenting and reflecting on excerpts from their works, followed by a transition to introducing the next historical figures for upcoming episodes. (00:00) Introduction to the Noble American Lives Podcast (00:24) Overview of the Series and Books (01:22) Details on the First and Second Books (02:45) Introduction to the Third Book (03:07) Today's Episode: Epilogue of the Third Book (04:26) Discussion on Joseph Smith's Actions (08:03) Debate on Religion and Morality (19:55) Final Thoughts and Reflections (25:33) Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview

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