According to William James, the purpose of psychology is to study human behavior in order to understand and improve the human condition. James viewed psychology as the science that studies the principles of the mind and the laws governing mental life. He also argued that psychology should be a natural science, similar to biology or chemistry, rather than a branch of philosophy.
James thought that studying psychology would help people become better versions of themselves by learning how their minds work. In other words, he believed that understanding ourselves is necessary for self-improvement.
His ideas about psychology were influenced by his brother Henry’s work in physiology and evolution, which led him to see humans as part of nature rather than above it. These ideas are exemplified by his famous quote: “The study of medicine has been degraded from its true function by being made too much an affair of rules and recipes; what was once an art has become a trade.”
Moreover, James believed that the purpose of psychology was not just to make sense of human behavior but also to improve it. He wrote: “In theory I have no need for any other discipline than this one [psychology], but in practice I find myself compelled again and again to consult history or economics or politics or ethics; they seem always relevant.”
