James Henry Leuba

American psychologist

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James Henry Leuba (1868–1946) was an American psychologist known for his scientific approach to the study of religion. He advocated for a naturalistic treatment of religion, believing it was essential for a scientific examination of religious psychology.1

Leuba's work, particularly A Psychological Study of Religion, explored mystical experiences from psychological and physiological perspectives, drawing analogies to drug-induced states. His approach aimed to explain religious phenomena through empirical observation and scientific reasoning, distinguishing his work from purely philosophical or theological interpretations.12

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study of religion
Psychological studies
…examples, was the American psychologist James H. Leuba (1868–1946). In A Psychological Study of Religion he attempted to account for mystical experience psychologically and physiologically, pointing to analogies with certain drug-induced experiences. Leuba argued forcefully for a naturalistic treatment of religion, which he considered to be necessary if religious psychology…
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…examples, was the American psychologist James H. Leuba (1868–1946). In A Psychological Study of Religion he attempted to account for mystical experience psychologically and physiologically, pointing to analogies with certain drug-induced experiences. Leuba argued forcefully for a naturalistic treatment of religion, which he considered to be necessary if religious psychology…
Read More

religious experience
Study and evaluation
…such as Sigmund Freud and J.H. Leuba, rejected such claims and explained religion in psychological and genetic terms as a projection of human wishes and desires. Philosophers such as William James, Josiah Royce, William E. Hocking, and Wilbur M. Urban represented an idealist tradition in interpreting religion, stressing the concepts…
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…such as Sigmund Freud and J.H. Leuba, rejected such claims and explained religion in psychological and genetic terms as a projection of human wishes and desires. Philosophers such as William James, Josiah Royce, William E. Hocking, and Wilbur M. Urban represented an idealist tradition in interpreting religion, stressing the concepts…
Read More