http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/1784047

Body and mind; a history and a defense of animism

"In writing this volume my primary aim has been to provide for students of psychology and philosophy, within a moderate compass, a critical survey of modern opinion and discussion upon the psycho-physical problem, the problem of the relation between body and mind. Among the great questions debated by philosophers in every age the psychophysical problem occupies a special position, in that it is one in which no thoughtful person can fail to be interested; for any answer to this question must have some bearing upon the fundamental doctrines of religion and upon our estimate of man's position and destiny in the world. The greater part of this book is, then, occupied with a survey of modern discussions and modern theories of the psycho-physical relation; but without some knowledge of the course of development of speculation upon this topic it is impossible to understand the present state of opinion. I have written, therefore, in the earlier chapters a very brief history of the thought of preceding ages. The sub-title describes this book as a defense, as well as a history, of Animism. I hasten to offer some explanation of this description, lest the mere title of the book should repel a considerable number of possible readers. It is perhaps hardly necessary to say that the Animism I defend is not of this primitive type. But this is only one variety of Animism, one which seems to have been reached by extending the essential animistic notion far beyond its original and proper sphere of application. The modern currency and usage of the word derives chiefly from Professor Tylor's "Primitive Culture," and I use it with the general connotation given it in that celebrated treatise"--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

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