Thomas Paine vs. George Whitfield, Part 4
Noble American Lives: Biographies of America’s Religious Thinkers and Believers
Release Date: 03/24/2025
William James' Later Years and Legacy
Noble American Lives: Biographies of America’s Religious Thinkers and Believers
In episode 125 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson presents a comprehensive biography of William James, an eminent American philosopher and Harvard professor. The episode delves into James' perspectives on religion, his contributions to pragmatism, and his belief in the interconnectedness of scientific and religious thought. Benson also recounts James' personal and professional life, from his memberships in philosophical societies to his investigations into psychical phenomena. The narrative concludes with a reflection on James' later years, culminating in his death in...
info_outline
William James: Asceticism, Mysticism, and Pragmatic Religion
Noble American Lives: Biographies of America’s Religious Thinkers and Believers
In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson continues reading from his fourth book, examining William James, a prominent American philosopher and Harvard professor. The session delves into James's perspectives on asceticism, mysticism, and the philosophy of religion. James's thoughts on the spiritual significance of asceticism, despite its shift in value, and his exploration of mysticism's ineffable qualities and its transcendental impact on human consciousness are discussed at length. The analysis further touches on James's critique of intellectual philosophy...
info_outline
William James and Religious Conversion: Insights and Comparisons
Noble American Lives: Biographies of America’s Religious Thinkers and Believers
In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, hosted by William H. Benson, listeners are taken through a detailed reading and discussion from his fourth book, 'The Parallel Lives of the Noble American Religious Thinkers and Believers: William James versus Mary Baker Eddy.' The focus is on William James, a Harvard College professor and eminent American philosopher. Benson delves into James' lectures and writings on topics such as the divided self, the process of unification, conversion, saintliness, and the psychological underpinnings of religious experiences. Detailed comparisons,...
info_outline
William James: Reconciling Science and Religion
Noble American Lives: Biographies of America’s Religious Thinkers and Believers
In episode 122 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson continues his reading from his book on the life of William James. The episode delves into James's work 'The Will to Believe' and his attempts to reconcile science and religion. It also discusses key moments in James's life, including his significant speech at the Robert Gould Shaw monument dedication, his struggles with heart issues, and his lectures on the psychology of religious experience. The episode highlights James's observations on 'healthy-minded' and 'sick-soul' temperaments, his views on evolution, and his...
info_outline
Exploring the Life of William James Continued
Noble American Lives: Biographies of America’s Religious Thinkers and Believers
In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson delves into the life of William James, the acclaimed Harvard professor and American philosopher. Continuing from his fourth book, Benson discusses the impact of William James on psychology and philosophy, his teaching methods, and his personal life including the loss of his mother and the correspondence with his family. Touching on Jame's significant works like 'The Principles of Psychology,' the episode also highlights his thoughts on habit formation and his advocacy for mental therapy practices outside mainstream...
info_outline
William James: Struggles and Triumphs
Noble American Lives: Biographies of America’s Religious Thinkers and Believers
William James: Struggles and Triumphs In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson delves into the life of William James. The discussion includes James's early years, his struggles with physical and mental health, and his academic journey. Benson highlights James's time in Europe, his philosophical insights, and his eventual marriage to Alice Howe Gibbons. The episode also covers James's professional accomplishments, including his teaching career at Harvard and his contributions to psychology and philosophy. (00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (00:19) Overview of the...
info_outline
William Jame's Early Life & Influences
Noble American Lives: Biographies of America’s Religious Thinkers and Believers
In episode 119 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson continues reading from his fourth book, focusing on William James, an influential American philosopher and Harvard professor. The episode highlights William James's early life, his family's history, and his exposure to Emmanuel Swedenborg's religious views which greatly influenced his father. The narrative delves into William's academic journey, his family's frequent relocations, their ties with notable individuals like Ralph Waldo Emerson, and his eventual decision to pursue medicine at Harvard. This episode also...
info_outline
Ralph Waldo Emerson vs. Joseph Smith: Conclusion
Noble American Lives: Biographies of America’s Religious Thinkers and Believers
In episode 117 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson concludes his third book by exploring the contrasting lives and philosophies of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Joseph Smith. The episode dramatizes a stage discussion featuring historical figures who critique and debate the legacies of Emerson and Smith. The conversation covers morality, theology, and the impact of their beliefs on American religious history, illuminating the profound differences and occasional similarities between an intellectual transcendentalist and a religious prophet. The episode ends with both men...
info_outline
Ralph Waldo Emerson vs. Joseph Smith: The Epilogue
Noble American Lives: Biographies of America’s Religious Thinkers and Believers
In Episode 116 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson presents the epilogue of his third book, 'The Parallel Lives of the Noble American Religious Thinkers and Believers: Ralph Waldo Emerson versus Joseph Smith.' The episode features a dramatized fictional discussion between historical figures, focusing on the philosophies and lives of Emerson and Smith. Notable figures such as William James, Mark Twain, and H.L. Mencken participate in the dialogue, tackling various topics including mythology, religion, ethics, and the credibility of Joseph Smith's claims. The episode...
info_outline
Emerson vs. Smith: Politics & Scripture
Noble American Lives: Biographies of America’s Religious Thinkers and Believers
In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson explores the lives and legacies of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Joseph Smith as part of his book series, 'The Parallel Lives of the Noble American Religious Thinkers and Believers.' Benson compares and contrasts the lives of Emerson, a prominent transcendentalist thinker, and Smith, the prophet and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He discusses their family lives, religious philosophies, and the impacts they had on American society. Emerson's focus on individualism and transcendentalism sharply...
info_outlineIn episode 85 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson delves into the lives and beliefs of Thomas Payne and George Whitfield, particularly focusing on their responses to slavery in America's colonies. He details Payne's outspoken abolitionist efforts, highlighted by his influential essays and the formation of the Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage. Payne's consistent opposition to slavery is contrasted with Whitfield’s evolving stance: despite initially condemning the brutality of slavery, Whitfield eventually capitulated to its economic advantages, utilizing slave labor to support his endeavors, including the Bethesda orphanage. The episode underscores the moral complexities and divergent paths of these two historical figures in their confrontation with slavery.
(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast
(00:25) Overview of the Series
(00:48) Book Purchase and Newsletter Subscription
(01:14) Roger Williams and Cotton Mather
(02:36) Thomas Payne and George Whitfield
(04:37) Thomas Payne's Fight Against Slavery
(12:36) George Whitfield's Journey and Ministry
(28:40) Whitfield's Contradictions and Legacy
(36:05) Conclusion: Payne and Whitfield's Stance on Slavery