The Role of Emotions in Knowing the Transcendent

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Recommended: William James’s view of religion

Emotions undoubtedly play a huge role in developing ones understanding of the transcendent. With out the emotional aspect the notion of belief in a non-provable existence of a divine being would be left to the insane. The primary reason for this is that belief in a deity requires faith that it exists. Whenever some one places faith in a deity, they have no external proof the decision is purely based on the individual. If we take William James’ approach and break it into three parts, is the option forced? Is the option alive? Is the option Momentous? We can address the belief of a deity. First the question must be forced leaving the individual with constrained options removing their objectivity. By making it a forced option it requires one to take a stance choosing one option over the other, it forces them to place more significance on one out come over the other. Unlike a scientific test where the outcome is not in the hands of the individual but within the physical reality of the world, a forced option is one the individual must take because they believe it to be the most correct. S...

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