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