Abstract

This essay discusses the similarities and differences between the pragmatic pluralist philosophy of William James and the esoteric philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. James write wrote his Varietiesof Religious Experience as a psychologist of religious experience. He also spent thirty years researching psychical experience. James’s developed his position so as to avoid scientific and religious dogmatism. In the process, he generated countless tentative suggestions. Steiner similarly rejects dogmatic science and religion and in the process offers extensive claims and methods outside the dominant paradigm. James created the field of psychology of religion; Steiner created the esoteric method of spirit science or anthroposophy and its implications, including the Waldorf approach to education and biodynamic agriculture.