Genius and degeneration : A psychological study (translated from the 2nd ed. of the German work) / William Hirsch.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hirsch, William, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Humanities--History.

Humanities.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (333 pages)

Other Title:

Genius and degeneration

Place of Publication:

New York : D. Appleton and Co, 1896.

Summary:

"The purpose of this publication was to aid in the elucidation of certain anthropological moot-questions and to clear up certain notions that were apt to create confusion not only in medical circles but also in the wider field of the cultured laity. The anthropological questions treated here have made it necessary to undertake a psychological analysis of certain individuals, and to attempt to penetrate as far as possible to the depths of their mental processes. It was natural that in the original production of this work the intellectual heroes of the German people should have been selected, and it is evident that the appreciation of their traits and work is more perfect among their own people than among foreign nations. Nevertheless, I am sure that the characters selected for analysis, from whose life and works I have attempted to arrive at a correct conception of both genius and degeneration, are sufficiently well known to the English reader. If I have contributed in some measure to a clearer view of the truth of the questions discussed, the purpose of this work will be fulfilled"--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

Contents:

Introduction.

The limits of insanity.

The psychology of genius.

Genius and insanity.

Degeneration.

Influence of education upon genius.

Secular hysteria.

Art and insanity.

Richard Wagner and psychopathology.

Conclusion.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.