How did James distinguish between the empirical self and the self as knower? Include in your answer a definition of the material self, the social self, and the spiritual self.
James has defined the empirical self as “me” of our personality. It includes everything, which belongs to that person. “Me” of a man is the sum total of the things to, which he can call his. Empirical self was further classified as the material self, social self and the spiritual self. The spiritual self of a person is composed of the consciousness states of that individual. It includes all the emotions and the feelings associated with the consciousness of a person.
Social self is the self, which is recognized by the others. A person can have a many social selves in the society because every individual, who recognizes him always carry his image in their minds. Material self consists of all the materialistic items belongs to that person. Family members, house, own body part are included in the materialistic self. In empirical self a person is always known as himself or herself.
Aspect related to the own self was determined by the James as the concept of the self as knower. According to him, dealing with “I” is a tough thing in comparison with the dealing with “Me”. He has recognized “I” as a pure ego. He admitted later that self as knower has resemblance with the theological notions like, spirit, transcendental ego and soul.