The religious experience within the existentialism of Gabriel Marcel

This thesis titled The Religious Experience within the Existentialism of Gabriel Marcel explores and examines the distinctive existential philosophy of Gabriel Marcel within the context of the phenomenon of religious experience.The thesis consists of three parts. In the first part of the study, the position of Gabriel Marcel within the existential philosophy and his interaction with existential philosophers in the formation of his views is ascertained in order to reach a better understanding about his philosophy. Also in the first chapter Gabriel Marcel?s life and the basic concepts of his philosophical system, which he describes it as ?concrete philosophy?, are explored. In the second part of the study the notion of experience and religious experience, religious and mystical experience, and various approaches of religious experience in the context of the philosophy of religion are studies, especially in terms of its evidential value and possibility.In the third section, which is the main part of the study, Gabriel Marcel?s views on religious experience are analysed and explained in the light of the first and second chapters.Key Words: Gabriel Marcel, Existentialism, Religious Experience, Absolute (Certain, Infinite) You (Thou), The Relationship Between Subjects, Participation, Mystery (Secret).