How Long to Read Genius and Degeneration

How Long Does it Take to Read Genius and Degeneration?

It takes the average reader 5 hours and 44 minutes to read Genius and Degeneration by William Hirsch

Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more

Description

A review from Public Opinion: A Comprehensive Summary of the Press Throughout the World, Volume 21: DR. HIRSCH'S opening chapter defines, so far as definable, the limits of insanity, for the purposes of showing that in order to determine the state of mental sanity or insanity, it does not suffice to produce absurd modes of behavior or extraordinary temper. As we can hardly pronounce a man to lie insane from any conduct until we know what his motives are, we ought not judge from a part, but from the whole of his mental condition. Hence, so far as single conditions go, no sharp line of demarcation can be drawn between mental sanity and insanity. Then follows an attempt to define genius. Dr. Hirsch objects to the definition that genius and talent are merely different degrees of the same quality, on the ground that it would leave the word genius of little value as a psychological term, and finally arrives at the conclusion that the word really has no psychological meaning. Undoubtedly all men of genius have common traits, but they are not traits characteristic of genius; they are such as are possessed by other men and more or less by all men. Having come to the conclusion that the designation "genius" does not designate anyone psychological concept, and also that insanity is equally indefinable, Dr. Hirsch attempts to compare two such indefinable quantities. Quoting approvingly Claude Bernard's opinion that between any form of disease and health there are only differences of degree, and that no disease is anything more than an exaggeration or disproportion of normal phenomena, he adds that this is true of all diseases, whether they be of corporeal or mental origin. Hence the decision whether anything is to be considered as a disease or not cannot be made to depend on how far the phenomena depart from a norm. The usual well-known cases of famous men who are said to have experienced hallucinations—Napoleon, Cromwell, Luther and the rest—are given, with the author's opinion that it would be preposterous to regard all these great men as subject to occasional disorders of the mind or as approaching insanity in any way. Many other idiosyncrasies of famous men are adduced and the conclusion arrived at that they merely resemble traits of the insane and are not real affinities. Genius resembles insanity as gold resembles brass—the similarity is merely in the appearance. A chapter on "Degeneration" follows, evidently written before the appearance of Nordau's book, but the whole subject of a universal degeneracy is disposed of later with the remark that there is no proof of such a condition in the highly civilized nations. Dr. Hirsch grants that a sort of hysteria does exist, but say that, thanks to the progress of science, the influence of mental disorder upon the general culture is decidedly less than in former periods of history. Under the heads of Secular Hysteria and Art and Insanity Nordau is recognized by name and his arguments answered. The longest chapter is given to Wagner and a defence of the man and his work against the attacks of Nordau and Puschmann, although nothing is said of the savage assaults of Nietzsche. There is much in the latter chapters to comfort the disbelievers in the doctrines of a gradual retrogression and deterioration, generation by generation, of mankind, and the whole book is of value to the psychological student.

How long is Genius and Degeneration?

Genius and Degeneration by William Hirsch is 342 pages long, and a total of 86,184 words.

This makes it 115% the length of the average book. It also has 105% more words than the average book.

How Long Does it Take to Read Genius and Degeneration Aloud?

The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 7 hours and 50 minutes to read Genius and Degeneration aloud.

What Reading Level is Genius and Degeneration?

Genius and Degeneration is suitable for students ages 12 and up.

Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.

When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.

Where Can I Buy Genius and Degeneration?

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