William James's experience of presenting The Varieties of Religious Experience: His Gifford performance in historical context.
History of psychology August 1, 2024 John R Snarey, Joel Mclendon 1 citation
William James's 1901 and 1902 Gifford Lectures, later published as The Varieties of Religious Experience, are examined as separate performances. Comparing newspaper reports from The Scotsman with James's own correspondence shows that both sources strongly agree: the 1901 lectures were better received than those in 1902. The accounts also reveal a complex interplay between James and his audience, shaped by competing expectations and worldviews. Viewing the lectures as performance events within their personal and historical contexts deepens understanding of James, each lecture, and the resulting book.