The argument from Religious Experience

Are these arguments analogous? I seem to see a table I seem to see a table Therefore, its likely there is a table there Therefore, its likely there is a table there I seem to experience God I seem to experience God Therefore, it is likely that there is a God Therefore, it is likely that there is a God

Some differences Physical object perception is publicly verifiable (if only one person sees a table we are likely to think its an hallucination) Physical object perception is publicly verifiable (if only one person sees a table we are likely to think its an hallucination) Religious experiences conflict with one another depending on the religious tradition of the one having the experience (Hindu experiences are different from Christian ones, for example) Religious experiences conflict with one another depending on the religious tradition of the one having the experience (Hindu experiences are different from Christian ones, for example)

The musical analogy Some people are tone deaf, others are musically gifted, most are in between Some people are tone deaf, others are musically gifted, most are in between Likewise, some people are very prone to religious experience, some never have them, others are in between Likewise, some people are very prone to religious experience, some never have them, others are in between Those who are tone deaf are not very good music critics Those who are tone deaf are not very good music critics There are also a range of possible religious experiences. There are also a range of possible religious experiences.

The analogy is limited The issue crucial issue of religious experience is whether they are evidence for the supernatural The issue crucial issue of religious experience is whether they are evidence for the supernatural Musical ability is not evidence for anything Musical ability is not evidence for anything

What is the connection between religious experience and truth Are religious experiences akin to hallucinations? Or are they more like perceptual experiences? How can you tell? Are religious experiences akin to hallucinations? Or are they more like perceptual experiences? How can you tell?

Arguments against reliability of religious experience Religious experiences contradict one another Religious experiences contradict one another Religious experiences are private in a way perceptual experiences are not—no public way to confirm or deny the validity of of a religious experience. Religious experiences are private in a way perceptual experiences are not—no public way to confirm or deny the validity of of a religious experience. Mystical experiences occur in persons who are atypical psychologically and prone to very strong emotional and sexual feelings. Mystical experiences occur in persons who are atypical psychologically and prone to very strong emotional and sexual feelings.

Caused by brain processes? “The most joyous and tear-filled sky rocket to ecstasy is much more likely than not a chemical action in the body and brain. There is nothing in so- called mystical experience that provides any evidence of the supernatural. We are all hardwired for fantasy and for dreams. Lofty sensations of mystical experience is probably no more than a variant on this predisposition in the brain for peace, comfort, and security.” “The most joyous and tear-filled sky rocket to ecstasy is much more likely than not a chemical action in the body and brain. There is nothing in so- called mystical experience that provides any evidence of the supernatural. We are all hardwired for fantasy and for dreams. Lofty sensations of mystical experience is probably no more than a variant on this predisposition in the brain for peace, comfort, and security.” ---Edward Tabash, “Confessions of a Former Mystic” ---Edward Tabash, “Confessions of a Former Mystic”

Ordinary perceptual experiences are also caused by brain processes—does this make them unreliable? Ordinary perceptual experiences are also caused by brain processes—does this make them unreliable? Many great scientific thinkers are also unusual, strange or even “crazed” (Broad). Many great scientific thinkers are also unusual, strange or even “crazed” (Broad). While religious experiences are interpreted differently in persons with different religious beliefs, there may be a core experience which is common to all. While religious experiences are interpreted differently in persons with different religious beliefs, there may be a core experience which is common to all.