Subject
Taboo Books
Best books
Sigmund Freud
Totem and taboo : $b Resemblances between the psychic lives of savages and neurotics
"Totem and Taboo: Resemblances between the psychic lives of savages and..." by Sigmund Freud is a collection of four essays published in 1913. Freud applies psychoanalytic concepts to anthropology, archaeology, and religion, drawing controversial parallels between primitive societies and neurotic patients. Through examining incest taboos, totemism, animism, and the origins of social organization, he explores ambivalence, projection, and the "omnipotence of thoughts." The work proposes a provocative theory about the primal origins of human society and religious guilt, though its conclusions remain hotly debated among anthropologists.
Sigmund Freud
Totem und Tabu Einige Übereinstimmungen im Seelenleben der Wilden und der Neurotiker
"Totem und Tabu" by Sigmund Freud is a work published in 1913. Through four essays, Freud applies psychoanalytic methods to questions of anthropology, examining primitive societies through the lens of individual psychological development. He explores why certain cultures have intense incest taboos, what underlies the concept of taboo itself, how magical thinking emerges, and what connects totemism to social structures. Freud draws controversial parallels between "primitive" peoples and neurotics, proposing a provocative theory about the violent origins of human civilization.
Melvin M. (Melvin Moses) Knight
Taboo and genetics : $b A study of the biological, sociological and psychological foundation of the family
"Taboo and Genetics" by Melvin M. Knight, Ph.D., Iva Lowther Peters, Ph.D., and Phyllis Blanchard, Ph.D., is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. This work investigates the biological, sociological, and psychological foundations of the family, focusing on how scientific advancements in biology have led to a re-evaluation of traditional sociological views regarding sex and family dynamics. The opening of the text serves as a preface, outlining the authors' intention to revisit and challenge established theories about sex and social structures, particularly in light of recent biological findings. They indicate a need to dissect the outdated "gynæcocentric" theory that dominated sociological thought, acknowledging its inaccuracies while proposing a multidisciplinary approach to understanding sexual relationships. This includes examining the historical influence of sex taboos as well as integrating insights from modern psychology and ethnology to provide a comprehensive overview of how these factors converge to impact family life and societal norms today.
Sigmund Freud
Die Inzestscheu Über einige Übereinstimmungen im Seelenleben der Wilden und der Neurotiker I
"Die Inzestscheu" by Sigmund Freud is a scientific publication written during the early 20th century. This work explores the psychological aspects of incest avoidance, comparing the behaviors and cultural practices surrounding incest in primitive societies, particularly focusing on Australian Aboriginal peoples, with the psychological phenomena observed in neurotics. The text aims to shed light on the parallels between the psychological development of individuals and that of cultures. In this examination, Freud argues that the strong taboos against incest found in primitive societies can be viewed as a reflection of infantile psychology, mirroring unresolved issues present in the psyche of neurotic individuals. He elaborates on the concept of totemism and exogamy—practices in which individuals are forbidden to marry or engage in sexual relations with members of their own totem group. This stark adherence to incest avoidance highlights both the social structure and the psychological mechanisms at play. Freud suggests that the deep-rooted fear of incest and the societal mechanisms designed to prevent it may serve as a crucial factor in understanding human psychology, both in its primitive and neurotic forms.
Sigmund Freud
Das Tabu und die Ambivalenz der Gefühlsregungen Über einige Übereinstimmungen im Seelenleben der Wilden und der Neurotiker II
"Das Tabu und die Ambivalenz der Gefühlsregungen" by Sigmund Freud is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. The work delves into the intricate concept of the "taboo," connecting primitive social restrictions to complex emotional responses observed in both primitive cultures and neurotic individuals. Freud aims to explore how these taboos reflect deeper psychological processes and conflicts. The opening of the text introduces the concept of "tabu," tracing its linguistic roots and highlighting its dual meanings of sacredness and danger. Freud discusses the nature of taboos as unarticulated prohibitions that exist outside religious or moral justifications, existing instead as primal codes of conduct inherited by societies over time. He points out that taboos often evoke fear and fascination, and he hints at the underlying psychological mechanisms that drive these functions, setting the stage for a detailed exploration of their implications for both collective societies and individual neuroses. Freud emphasizes the need for a further analysis of taboos to reveal their connections to modern moral codes and psychological health.
Recently surfaced classics