Empiricism in religious philosophy
pp. 183-197
in: Leroy Rouner (ed), Philosophy, religion, and the coming world civilization, Berlin, Springer, 1966Abstract
The religious philosophy of William Ernest Hocking is empirical in the sense that he finds in human experience the reality which calls for worship and religious commitment. This reality is our awareness of a total, unifying whole. In our daily life we strive for ends unattained, we encounter diversities which seem irreconcilable, we engage in futile conflicts, we come to meaningless dead ends. But we could not distinguish these for what they are if we did not experience them against the background of a "whole idea." This awareness of a comprehensive whole is brought to consciousness by reflection and most vividly experienced by the mystic. This comprehensive unity is the goal of all our strivings; and in worship we can apprehend its living presence, revealing the ultimate significance of our lives. In summary Hocking writes: "Religion…. is the present attainment in a single experience of those objects which in the course of nature are reached only at the end of infinite progression. Religion is anticipated attainment." 1
