The Psychology of Religious Experience

The Psychology of Religious Experience is a comprehensive exploration of the psychological aspects of religious experiences, written by Edward Scribner Ames. The book delves into the various ways in which religious experiences affect human behavior, emotions, and thought processes, and how they can be understood through the lens of psychology. Ames examines the different types of religious experiences, including visions, mystical experiences, and religious conversions, and analyzes the psychological factors that contribute to them. He also explores the role of religion in personal growth and development, as well as its impact on social and cultural norms.Throughout the book, Ames draws on a wide range of sources, including religious texts, philosophical writings, and psychological research, to provide a thorough and insightful analysis of the psychology of religious experience. The book is written in a clear and accessible style, making it suitable for both academic and general readers interested in the intersection of psychology and religion.1910. Ames, who was the Professor of Philosophy in the University of Chicago writes that this work undertakes an investigation of the religious aspect of normal human experience. The point of view employed is that of functional psychology, which is necessarily genetic and social. The method adopted involves the use of much material from anthropology, the history of religion, and other social sciences, but an attempt has been made to organize this material and interpret it from the psychological standpoint. The hypothesis that religion is the consciousness of the highest social values arose from studies in these fields, and this conception has been strengthened by further investigations. These highest social values appear to embody more or less idealized expressions of the most elemental and urgent life impulses. Religion expresses the desire to obtain life and obtain it abundantly. In all stages the demand is for daily bread and for companionship and achievement in family and community relationships. Ames divides the Contents into four parts including: History and Method of the Psychology of Religion; The Origin of Religion in the Race; The Race of Religion in the Individual; and The Place of Religion in the Experience of the Individual and Society. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world’s literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.