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Quote by William Ernest Hocking

“What our view of the effectiveness of religion in history does at once make evident as to its nature is--first, its necessary distinction; second, its necessary supremacy. These characters though external have been so essential to its fruitfulness, as to justify the statement that without them religion is not religion. A merged religion and a negligible or subordinate religion are no religion.”

Book:The meaning of God in human experience: philosophic study of religion

Work

The meaning of God in human experience: philosophic study of religion

The book is a comprehensive philosophic examination of religion, specifically concentrating on the role and significance of God in human life. It examines the philosophical underpinnings of religious beliefs and practices, offering insights into how the concept of God has been understood and debated throughout history. more

Author

William Ernest Hocking

William Ernest Hocking was an American philosopher known for his contributions to moral and religious philosophy. His work had a profound impact on the philosophical community in the early 20th century, particularly in the field of moral philosophy. more

“We are driven to confess that we actually care more for religion than we do for religious theories and ideas: and in merely making that distinction between religion and its doctrine-elements, have we not already relegated the latter to an external and subordinate position? Have we not asserted that "religion itself" has some other essence or constitution than mere idea or thought?”

Ideas Care Religious Position Theory Elements Essence Constitution Mere Driven Doctrine Distinction Latter Subordinates

Author:William Ernest Hocking

“However rich we may become in knowledge of the deeper causes of historical results, we forgo all understanding of history if we forget this inner continuity,--i.e., the conscious intentions of the participants in history-making and their consciously known successes.”

Ifs May Causes Understanding Forget Results Known Rich Conscious Historical Intention Deeper Continuity Participants History Making

Book:The meaning of God in human experience: philosophic study of religion

Source: The meaning of God in human experience: philosophic study of religion

“Every social need, such as the need for friendship, must be a party to its own satisfaction: I cannot passively find my friend as a ready-made friend; a ready-made human being he may be, but his friendship for me I must help to create by my own active resolve.”

Needs Humans May Made Helping Social My Own Human Beings Party Ready My Friends Satisfaction Active Resolve

Book:The Meaning of God in Human Experience

Source: The Meaning of God in Human Experience

“A person who wills to have a good will, already has a good will--in its rudiments. There is solid satisfaction in knowing that the mere desire to get out of an old habit is a material advance upon the condition of submergence in that habit. The longest step toward cleanliness is made when one gains--nothing but dissatisfaction with dirt.”