Many philosophers of religion have sought to defend the rationality of religious belief by shifting the burden of proof onto the critic of religious belief. Some have appealed to extraordinary religious experience in making their case. Religious Experience, Justification and History restores neglected explanatory and historical considerations to the debate. Through a study of William James, it contests the accounts of religious experience offered in recent works. Through reflection on the history of philosophy, it also unravels the philosophical use of the term 'justification'. Matthew Bagger argues that the commitment to supernatural explanations implicit in the religious experiences employed to justify religious belief contradicts the modern ideal of human flourishing. For contrast, and to demonstrated the indispensability of history, he includes a study of Teresa of Avila's mystical theology. The controversial supernatural explanations implicit in extraordinary religious experience places the burden of proof on the believer.

Religious Experience, Justification and History restores neglected explanatory and historical considerations to the debate.
Reviews
"Matthew Bagger's Religious Experience, Justification, and History is an important contribution to the burgeoning literature on "mysticism" and religious experience...there is much to recommend about this book - to begin with, it is a treasure of philosophical review on these issues..." The Journal of Religion



Book Information
ISBN 9780521622554
Author Matthew C. Bagger
Format Hardback
Page Count 250
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 470g
Dimensions(mm) 224mm * 146mm * 20mm