Essays and Addresses on the Philosophy of Religion (First Series, 1921) is a collection of writings and lectures by Baron Friedrich von Hügel, a prominent Catholic philosopher and theologian of the early 20th century. The book focuses on a thorough analysis of the nature of religion, theism, and the role of institutions in religious life. In this first volume, Von Hügel rejects the view that religion is merely an illusion or a mere projection of the human mind. Instead, he argues that religion is an intrinsic aspect of human beings that connects them to a higher reality (God). He emphasizes a personal and experiential approach to religion, in which faith arises from a profound encounter with the divine, often through suffering. The book is considered a crucial work in combating overly theoretical/scholastic approaches, and encouraging a more 'mystical and positive' approach to the study of religion.