A5 Religious Experience Lesson 4

• Godsdienst
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Religious Experience

A5

2025 - 2026

Lesson 4

Logical caroussel (QAREPR)

1. Ask a Question: closed question connected to philosophical content
2. Answer the question
3. Give a Reason that fits the combination of the question asked and the answer given.
4. Give an Example that illustrates the stated reason, as well as makes this reason (more) concrete. 
5. Produce a critical note
6. Give a Reflection about the whole conversation:

     - Do you think differently now?

     - What was striking?

     - Did your attitude change concerning the subject that has been discussed?

Lesson objectives

You will.....

• investigate whether psychological factors can explain religious experiences
• investigate whether religious experiences are rooted in natural physiological processes.

What's the difference between psychological and physiological?

If your friend had tickets to the premiere of their favourite film at the weekend and told you he/she had met their idol, would you believe him/her?

1. why or why or why not?
2. What would it take for you to believe him/her?
3. What sort of evidence would you want?
4. Would any amount of evidence be conclusive? why (not)

Is God a psychological construct?

1. why or why or why not?
2. What would it take for you to believe him/her?
3. What sort of evidence would you want?
4. Would any amount of evidence be conclusive? why (not)

Freud

Religion is a psychological construct

personality consists of 3 parts:

1. id: primitive instincts (unconscious)
2. ego: brings together id & super-ego; awareness of self (clash id & surroundings)
3. super-ego: opposite of id = conscience/morality (right/wrong through upbringing)

Freud

1. Id – the “want” part

• Present from birth
• Wants pleasure right now
• Doesn’t care about rules, others, or consequences

Example:

“I’m hungry. I want cake. I want it now.”

Freud

2. Ego – the “reality” part

• Develops as you grow up
• Tries to be realistic and sensible
• Balances the id and the outside world

Example:

“I want cake, but dinner is soon. I’ll wait.”

Freud

3. Superego – the “moral” part

• Develops from parents, teachers, and society
• Thinks about right and wrong
• Can make you feel proud or guilty

Example:

“I shouldn’t eat cake now. It’s unhealthy and rude.”

Freud

Freud believed your behavior 

comes from how these three 

parts struggle and work together.

Story

Listen to the story

Does religious experience have a purely physical and neural explanation?

1. why or why or why not?
2. What would it take for you to believe him/her?
3. What sort of evidence would you want?
4. Would any amount of evidence be conclusive? why (not)

Homework

To do:

• Study page 74 - 77 + Chapter 6 Background information
• Activity 4 + 6 page 75
• Activity 5 page 77

On which topic do I need more clarity?