PHIL 1000H Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Plotinus, Al-Ghazali, Theism
4 Apr 2016
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William james believes experience of a higher reality is a central foundation of religion. Sarvepalli radhakrishnan (1888 1975) demonstrated a deep understanding of indian philosophy and connected many ideas to western philosophy. Was hindu but held great interest in comparing religions. Radhakrishnan believed mysticism can be physical or philosophical. James and radhakrishnan could agree that there is a presence to god in mysticism. There is a difference between perception and feeling god is perceived through an analogous system of senses as physical perception. James believes if we believe our senses can draw on our reality, than a mystical experience can be just as direct as a perception of materiality. If your senses give you sense of a physical presence, than a mystics experience can give them a mystical perception can be as valid. God"s communication with their soul, heart or sensibility. James believes mystical experiences resemble perceptual experiences in certain important respects.
