Genius and degeneration
Genius and Degeneration, published in English in 1897 from the second German edition, is William Hirsch's psychological study written against the fashionable doctrine, associated with Lombroso and Max Nordau, that genius is a form of madness and modern art a symptom of decay. Hirsch, a physician, first asks where the limits of insanity lie, then analyzes the psychology of genius and the famous cases cited by the other side, examines the concept of degeneration, the influence of education on genius, what he calls secular hysteria and the relation of art to insanity, and devotes a long chapter to Richard Wagner and psychopathology. He concludes that the alienists have confused eccentricity, originality and disease. The translator is not named. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about Genius and degeneration
Genius and degeneration by William Hirsch can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Genius and degeneration online?
Yes. Genius and degeneration opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Genius and degeneration free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Genius and degeneration is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Genius and degeneration in the public domain?
Yes. Genius and degeneration by William Hirsch is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Genius and degeneration?
About 6 h 59 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Genius and degeneration?
Genius and degeneration by William Hirsch is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
