Originally published in 1928, this title looks at the link between animal and human conduct. It had long been recognized on the basis of their activities that many animals possess minds, and that these are similar in a considerable number of respects to human minds. According to the author, this book looks at man’s position within nature from the perspective of a naturalist, rather than a psychologist or philosopher. He has attempted to describe the working of mind and body in human beings and in other living things; to examine critically the mental technique involved in such descriptions; and to reason broadly as to the bearings of the facts and processes on human life. Now it can be read and enjoyed in its historical context.
1. Introduction 2. The Ability of Living Beings to Exist and Develop Despite Adverse Conditions: The Phenomenon of Adaption 3. The Problem of Man’s Origin and Kinship: Factual Evidence and its Proper Treatment 4. The Problem of Man’s Origin and Kinship (cont.): Certainty and Probability as to Man’s Evolution 5. Success and Failure in Animal Activity 6. Successful Animal Activity 7. Maladaptive Activity Resulting in Waste of Time and Energy 8. Maladaptive Activity Resulting in Waste of Useful Materials 9. Waste of Useful Materials (cont.) Among Mammals 10. Maladaptive Activity Resulting in Injury to Kind 11. Maladaptive Activity Resulting in Self-Injury 12. Self-Injury (cont.) Among Birds 13. Self-Injury (cont.) Among Mammals 14. Maladaptive Activity in Monkeys and Apes 15. Maladaptive Activity Among Low-Cultured Human Beings 16. Maladaptive Activity Among High-Cultured Human Beings 17. The Elements of Man’s Physical Structure Which Enable him to be the Most Actively Adaptive of All Living Beings. Bibliography. Index.
Biography
William E. Ritter
