Classics in the History of Psychology An internet resource
developed by Christopher D. Green York University, Toronto,
Ontario (Return to index) The Principles of Psychology William
James (1890) After discrimination, association! Already in the
last chapter I have had to invoke, in order to explain the
improvement of certain discriminations by practice, the
'association' of the objects to be distinguished, with other
more widely differing ones. It is obvious that the advance of
our knowledge must consist of both operations; for objects at
first appearing as wholes are analyzed into parts, and objects
appearing separately are brought together and appear as new
compound wholes to the mind. Analysis and synthesis are thus the
incessantly alternating mental activities, a stroke of the one
preparing the way for a stroke of the other, much as, in
walking, a man's two legs are alternately brought into use, both
being indispensable for any orderly advance. The manner in which
trains of imagery and consideration follo