The Principles of Psychology, published in 1890, laid the foundation for modern psychology. This two-volume book, condensed here into a reading of selected chapters by Mortimer Adler, James explores a wide range of psychological topics, including consciousness, perception, emotion, habit, and will. He introduces the idea of the "stream of consciousness," emphasizing that human thought is not a series of isolated ideas but a continuous flow of experiences. James also discusses the concept of pragmatism, suggesting that the truth of an idea or belief is determined by its practical effects and usefulness in real life. James's work helped establish psychology as a scientific discipline and influenced a variety of subsequent psychological theories, including functionalism, behaviorism, and cognitive psychology.
