"Can Rules Define Morality?" addresses Immanuel Kant's rights-based theories of ethics, the categorical imperative. What was new about Kant's moral philosophy is that a superhuman authority is not necessary to determine ..
Many believe that the actual origins of reported personal religious experiences are more human than divine. The brain is capable of lots of illusory and hallucinatory activity which undercuts any attempt to prove God thr..
It is useful to keep in mind that mystics are self conscious about the possibility of self deception. Saint Teresa was convinced that experiences which genuinely produce love cannot be deceptions. As William Craig reveal..
The highest form of mystical experience seems to be one in which there is a sense of flowing together and becoming one with God. In an extrovertive mystical experience the world around us is transfigured and transformed...
Ordinary devotional experiences guide most people of faith. But those who have mystical experiences find that analytical discussions are beside the point. As William James said, "feeling is the deeper source of religion,..
Philosopher Richard Swinburne says that "apparent perceptions ought to be taken at their face value in the absence of positive reason for challenge." He applies this Principle of Credulity to religious experiences and p..
Followers from different religions proclaim their own visions of the Divine. In Christianity, the person in prayer comes in contact with God or Jesus Christ, whereas in Eastern traditions the experience is a meeting with..
People who report having had a religious experience often say that the encounter provides meaning and direction to their lives. It even gives proof of a Higher Being despite the fact that some may question the validity o..
Nineteenth century philosopher William James does not advocate ignoring evidence, but he does suggest three conditions in which you should believe even though there is not sufficient proof: when it is a forced option, th..
Campaign finance reform is difficult to achieve because the people who must vote to change the system are its chief beneficiaries, the incumbent members of Congress. In addition the two political parties differ on what r..