Madkind: The Origin and Development of the Mind

Description

First published in 1962, the original blurb reads: ‘This provocative book explores the whole range of human thought conduct and beliefs. Commencing with primitive man and his superstitions it goes on to study our present-day cultural institutions, customs, ritual and other behaviour upon which we pride ourselves. All of these are shown to have identical primitive mechanisms and to be subjectively determined without reference to scientific knowledge. These delusions are shown to be mostly undesirable and harmful and the author goes on to state that only objective thinking, scientifically based, can lead to any ultimate good. The later chapters contain an aetiological study of the mind. The author states "If we can consider the human mind in the light of its origin and development we may better appreciate its basic nature and its inevitable limitations". The subject matter is amply illustrated with clinical examples in Dr Berg’s usual lively style. This book is one which will affect all readers. None of us is immune from delusions, however much we may delude ourselves to the contrary, and the presentation of these truths will to some of us seem shocking in the extreme.’ Today it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Original Title Page Preface Table of Contents I. General Introduction II. Symptomatology: Delusions of Primitive Man III. Mythology, Cosmogony and Comparative Religion IV. Current Behaviour: Libido Expressed in Social Customs V. The Social Neurosis of Modern Man VI. Marriage VII. Growing Up VIII. Education IX. Sport, Games and Social Expressions of Aggression X. Fear XI. War XII. Politics and Punishment XIII. Culture and the Psychology of Authoritarian Institutions XIV. Belief in God XV. Religion, an Emotionally Determined Belief XVI. 'Treatment' and Ego Development XVII. The Mind is Primarily a Physiological Organ XVIII. A Modern Cosmogony XIX. The Macrocosm XX. Protein Synthesis and the Origin of Life XXI. The Origin of Living Forms and the Development of Nerve Tissue XXII. Outline of Evolution XXIII. Growth and Structure of the Mind XXIV. Treatment, Prognosis, Untruth and Truth and the Feeling-Tone of Life Bibliography Index