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, historical contexts, and philosophical analyses are woven throughout the narrative, providing comprehensive insights into James' views on religion and personal transformation.

(00:00) Introduction to the Noble American Lives Podcast (00:19) Overview of the Parallel Lives Series (01:24) First Book: Roger Williams vs. Cotton Mather (01:45) Second Book: Thomas Payne vs. George Whitfield (02:14) Third Book: Ralph Waldo Emerson vs. Joseph Smith (02:47) Current Episode: William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy (03:54) William James on the Divided Self (07:41) The Process of Conversion (19:50) Saintliness and Its Characteristics (22:20) Evaluating Religion and Saintliness (26:36) The Extremes of Saintliness (29:50) The Impact of Saintly Behavior

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 exploration of religious experiences in his book 'The Varieties of Religious Experience.'

(00:00) Introduction to the Noble American Lives Podcast (00:18) Overview of the Series and Books (01:20) Previous Episodes Recap (02:41) Current Episode: William James vs. Mary Baker Eddie (03:35) Biography of William James (03:46) William James' Philosophical Contributions (06:18) William James' Personal Life and Health (09:48) William James' European Journey and Lectures (13:47) The Varieties of Religious Experience (26:53) Healthy Mindedness vs. The Sick Soul (31:52) Conclusion: The Completeness of Religions

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 medicine.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 01:24 Overview of Previous Books 02:41 Current Episode: William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy 03:47 Biography of William James 14:45 William James' Academic Career 17:15 William James' Philosophical Contributions 23:03 William James' Later Life and Legacy

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 Series (01:22) Previous Books Recap (02:40) Current Episode: William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy (03:44) William James' Early Career and Health Struggles (05:08) William James' European Sojourn (13:11) Philosophical Crisis and Recovery (18:55) Return to America and Academic Career (22:32) Marriage and Family Life (31:08) Final Years and Legacy

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 touches on William's experiences in the Amazon under the guidance of Louis Agassiz, offering insights into his struggles and eventual realizations about his career path.

(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (01:22) Overview of Previous Books and Episodes (02:40) Current Episode: William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy (03:40) Biography of William James: Early Influences (08:37) The James Family's European Travels (17:31) William James' Academic Pursuits (25:42) William James' Expedition to Brazil

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 presenting and reflecting on excerpts from their works, followed by a transition to introducing the next historical figures for upcoming episodes.

(00:00) Introduction to the Noble American Lives Podcast (00:24) Overview of the Series and Books (01:22) Details on the First and Second Books (02:45) Introduction to the Third Book (03:07) Today's Episode: Epilogue of the Third Book (04:26) Discussion on Joseph Smith's Actions (08:03) Debate on Religion and Morality (19:55) Final Thoughts and Reflections (25:33) Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview

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 brings a captivating mix of historical insight and imaginative narrative, culminating in a rich exploration of American religious history.

(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (00:22) Overview of the Series (01:26) First Book: Roger Williams vs. Cotton Mather (02:06) Second Book: Thomas Payne vs. George Whitfield (02:54) Third Book: Ralph Waldo Emerson vs. Joseph Smith (04:13) Epilogue: Joseph Smith's Dramatic Life (04:54) Philosophical Debates and Reflections (06:22) Comparisons to Mythology and Literature (09:54) Joseph Smith's Defense and Criticisms (13:25) Final Thoughts and Reflections

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 contrasts with Smith's establishment of a church emphasizing communal structure and a restorationist theology.

(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (00:20) Overview of the Series and Books (04:02) Joseph Smith's Family Life (08:23) Smith's Leadership and Controversies (10:25) Smith's Political Ambitions (10:51) Emerson and Smith's Religious Beliefs (12:51) Smith's Devotion to His Church (13:30) Emerson's Personal Losses (14:45) Smith's Vision of Heaven (16:26) Emerson's Pantheistic Views (18:01) Smith's Anthropomorphic Gods (19:25) Emerson and Smith on Creation (20:05) Views on Evil and Sin (21:33) Salvation and Personal Belief (22:01) Scriptures and Prophecy (22:38) Emerson's Call for New Scriptures (23:20) Smith's New Scriptures (24:13) Emerson and Smith on Jesus (25:21) Emerson's Focus on Self-Reliance (29:14) Smith's Emphasis on Knowledge (29:49) Views on History (31:21) Emerson's Individualism vs. Smith's Church (32:29) Conclusion

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson continues his examination of eminent American religious thinkers and believers by focusing on the parallels and differences between Ralph Waldo Emerson and Joseph Smith. Both born in the early 19th century, Emerson and Smith had vastly different lives despite their shared New England heritage. The episode delves into their upbringing, careers, religious beliefs, and personal lives, highlighting the contrasting paths each took—Emerson from a Unitarian minister to a transcendentalist writer, and Smith from a farm laborer to the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Benson offers detailed accounts of their respective journeys, ideologies, and legacies, providing a nuanced comparison that illuminates the unique contributions of these two influential figures.

(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (01:23) Overview of the Series (03:11) Ralph Waldo Emerson vs. Joseph Smith: A Comparative Analysis (03:59) Early Lives and Backgrounds (08:55) Family and Upbringing (12:52) Education and Early Careers (14:59) Religious Paths and Philosophies (20:29) Writing and Literary Contributions (24:13) Public Speaking and Influence (25:45) Personal Lives and Relationships (30:43) Legacy and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson completes his biography of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The episode details the events leading up to and following Joseph Smith's assassination, including the transport and secretive burial of his and his brother Hiram's bodies, and the subsequent actions and beliefs of his surviving family members, particularly Emma Smith. The podcast also explores the complex issue of polygamy in Mormon history, supported by a list of Joseph Smith's additional wives, and details the eventual migration of Brigham Young and the Mormons to Utah.

(00:00) Introduction to the Noble American Lives Podcast (00:18) Overview of the Books and Notable Figures (01:22) Roger Williams and Cotton Mather (02:35) Thomas Paine and George Whitefield (03:50) Ralph Waldo Emerson and Joseph Smith (05:03) The Final Days of Joseph Smith (07:27) Emma Smith's Life After Joseph (11:11) Joseph Smith's Additional Wives