1. James on mysticism - 1 William James on mysticism zFrom Varieties of Religious Experience (1902) yFive marks of a mystical experience x1. Ineffability x2. Include knowledge (“noetic quality”) x3. Transiency x4. Passivity x5. Union with the Absolute

2. James on mysticism - 2 William James on mysticism yMany religions contain mystical traditions. yThe warrant for the authenticity of mystical experiences x1. Are authoritative to those who have them & this should be granted x2. But mystics have no way of convincing those who have not had a mystical experience of the authenticity of the experience.

3. James on mysticism - 3 William James on mysticism And because of their lack of specific intellectual content, they cannot be used to support a specific religious tradition. x3. Mystical experiences are a proper complement to hard empiricism and rationalism. The genuinely open-minded person should be open to mystical experiences.

4. James on mysticism - 4 William James on mysticism 4. We can distinguish between a genuine mystical experience and psychological disturbance-- “diabolical mysticism.” –Mystical experiences are positive, lead to happiness & flourishing; psychological disturbance leads to dread and decline.

5. James on mysticism - 5 William James on mysticism zCritical evaluation yAre James’s 5 marks too broad? yJames says little about the goal of the mystic. Is this important? yWhat James calls “diabolical mysticism” may really be the first stage of a mystical experience.