William James: The Mystical Experimentation of a Sick Soul

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper is well articulated, amply referenced and well researched. It is also original in its approach to William James' observations and theory on the categories of "sick souls", as applied to himself by the author of the paper.

The arguments in favor of acknowledging that William James himself was a sick soul in search for healing through religious experience's potential to be beneficial for the wellbeing of the human person are put forward convincingly and supported by evidence. 

The paper is well structured and although dealing with the compexity of James' theory, the reader is convincingly led from one argument to another.

The bibliography is also ample.

Author Response

Thank you so much for your very positive review. No changes were made relative to your review, as none were suggested.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The author makes a novel argument for James' functioning in - and from - the very categories James himself creates for the "sick soul" in search of religion/"second birth." The section on James re: suicide/mania is particularly sensitive and well-researched.  The section on mystical experience is extremely thorough and carefully thought out. The argument overall is compelling and the article well-resourced, organized, and cited. 

line 34: Bernard’s --> Barnard's

line 333: will explore --> explores

490: "we will look at" --> I examine

 

Author Response

Thank you so much for your very positive review. I have made the 3 changes in spelling or wording recommended at the end of your review.