The distinguishing characteristics of mind are of a subjective sort; we know them only from the contents of our own consciousness.
Wilhelm WundtRead
Psychology, on the other hand, seeks to give account of the interconnexion of processes which are evinced by our own consciousness, or which we infer from such manifestations of the bodily life in other creatures as indicate the presence of a consciousness similar to our own.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Psychology explores the connections between mental processes and consciousness in both humans and animals.
In this quote, Wilhelm Wundt emphasizes the importance of understanding psychology as a science that seeks to explain the relationship between mental processes and consciousness. He highlights how our own conscious experiences can provide insights into the awareness of other beings, thereby suggesting a shared consciousness that can be examined through behavioral manifestations.
Themes
PsychologyConsciousnessProcessesInterconnectionBehaviors
In practice
Example use cases
In a psychology lecture discussing the nature of consciousness.
More from Wilhelm Wundt
All quotes →Our mind is so fortunately equipped, that it brings us the most important bases for our thoughts without our having the least knowledge of this work of elaboration. Only the results of it become unconscious.
Wilhelm WundtRead
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