Christina M. Gschwandtner. Ways of Living Religion: Philosophical Investigations into Religious Experience. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2024, xxiii + 347 pp.
European Journal for Philosophy of Religion December 20, 2024 DOI: 10.69574/aejpr.v1i3.40372 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that religious experiences are best understood as ways of life (Erfahrung) rather than isolated occurrences (Erlebnis), and that phenomenology is the appropriate philosophical method for their examination. |
Abstract
This volume offers a philosophical examination of various forms of religious experiences rather than merely concentrating on beliefs or apologetics. The author, Christina M. Gschwandtner, argues that rather than being isolated acts or one-time occurrences ( Erlebnis ), these experiences are best understood as ways of life ( Erfahrung ). According to her, the philosophical approach most appropriate for this type of examination is phenomenology. However, instead of portraying religion as a singular entity, the book provides chapters on ascetic, liturgical, monastic, mystical, devotional, compassionate, and fundamentalist experiences – mostly limited to the Christian tradition. In this instance, Gschwandtner is more interested in exploring how religious events speak to the human condition in general than she is in highlighting the uniqueness of religion. In the opening chapter, the author gives a