William James and The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Centenary Celebration

William James's The Varieties of Religious Experience was an intellectual landmark, paving the way for current study of psychology, philosophy and religious studies. In this new companion to the Varieties, key international experts provide contemporary responses to James's book, exploring its seminal historical importance and its modern significance. Locating the Varieties within the context of James's other works and exploring James's views on psychology, mysticism, religious experience, emotion and truth, the sixteen articles offer new analyses of the Varieties from the perspectives of postcolonial theory, history, social theory and philosophy. As the only critical work dedicated to the cross-disciplinary influence of The Varieties of Religious Experience, this book testifies to William James's genius and ongoing legacy.

Jeremy R. Carrette is Senior Lecturer and Head of Religious Studies at the University of Stirling, Scotland. He co-edited the Routledge Centenary Edition of William James' The Varieties of Religious Experience (2002, edited and introduced with Eugene Taylor), and is co-author with Richard King of Selling Spirituality: The Silent Takeover of Religion (Routledge, 2004). His other publications include Foucault and Religion (Routledge, 1999).