Author
James Weir
1856-1906
James Weir (1856-1906) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
Books by James Weir
The Dawn of Reason; or, Mental Traits in the Lower Animals
"The Dawn of Reason; or, Mental Traits in the Lower Animals" by James Weir, Jr., M.D. is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. The book explores the mental abilities of lower animals by investigating their consciousness, senses, emotions, and instincts, aiming to present this complex topic in an accessible manner to general readers. Through a detailed examination of various species, the author seeks to uncover the origins of mental processes and how they connect across the spectrum of animal life. The opening of the book sets the stage for a nuanced discussion by establishing a definition of the mind as a function of nerve action, distinguishing between conscious and unconscious mental processes. Weir emphasizes the interrelatedness of physiology, morphology, and psychology, laying the groundwork for understanding how these elements evolve in lower animals. He uses examples, such as the jellyfish and actinophryans, to illustrate mental action, the development of senses, and the emergence of consciousness, suggesting that even the simplest organisms display preferences and adaptations in response to their environments.
Religion and Lust or, The Psychical Correlation of Religious Emotion and Sexual Desire
"Religion and Lust" by James Weir, Jr. is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. This work explores the complex relationship between religious emotions and sexual desire from a physio-psychical perspective. The author examines various belief systems and rituals throughout history, positing that religious sentiment often has roots in natural phenomena and sensual perceptions, eventually evolving into more abstract forms of spirituality. The opening of the book presents the author's argument that primitive man’s first concepts of the supernatural likely stemmed from his direct observations and interactions with nature. He discusses how early religious feelings began as practical responses to the environment and the need for survival, suggesting that it was only after humans gained certain cognitive capacities that they developed more abstract ideologies regarding deities and the divine. Weir cites evidence from ancient peoples and their worship practices, indicating that the intertwining of sexual symbolism and religious observance is a historical constant, thus setting the stage for a broader discussion of the psychical correlations between religious feeling and sexual desire throughout human history.