William James and Consciousness
William James and Consciousness William James explored many aspects of psychology. He was interested in brain structure and function as well as altered states of consciousness. ... James thought that personality differences arise from different arrangements of these basic building blocks. James involved himself in pluralistic thinking. ... James believed that the self is more than just personal identity. ... In fact James suggests that we have as many different selves as we have individual relationships. James suggests though that we pick the most desirable self and act like that self in as many environments as possible. ... According to James the spiritual self is the most intimate part of self and is affected by pleasure and pain. ... James used the spiritual self to explain why we feel like we are more than our personalities or the objects that we own. James said that our various selves will try to unite but will never fully be able to. James was interested in the nature of thought to see how the mind works. He did not believe in an individual consciousness independent of an owner. ... James was focusing on a major concept of consciousness; that it’s constantly changing.