Animal Intelligence: The International Scientific Series

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Animal Intelligence: The International Scientific Series by George J. Romanes, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: George J. Romanes ISBN: 9781465542489
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: George J. Romanes
ISBN: 9781465542489
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
When I first began to collect materials for this work it was my intention to divide the book into two parts. Of these I intended the first to be concerned only with the facts of animal intelligence, while the second was to have treated of these facts in their relation to the theory of Descent. Finding, however, as I proceeded, that the material was too considerable in amount to admit of being comprised within the limits of a single volume, I have made arrangements with the publishers of the 'International Scientific Series' to bring out the second division of the work as a separate treatise, under the title 'Mental Evolution.' This treatise I hope to get ready for press within a year or two. My object in the work as a whole is twofold. First, I have thought it desirable that there should be something resembling a text-book of the facts of Comparative Psychology, to which men of science, and also metaphysicians, may turn whenever they may have occasion to acquaint themselves with the particular level of intelligence to which this or that species of animal attains. Hitherto the endeavour of assigning these levels has been almost exclusively in the hands of popular writers; and as these have, for the most part, merely strung together, with discrimination more or less inadequate, innumerable anecdotes of the display of animal intelligence, their books are valueless as works of reference. So much, indeed, is this the case, that Comparative Psychology has been virtually excluded from the hierarchy of the sciences. If we except the methodical researches of a few distinguished naturalists, it would appear that the phenomena of mind in animals, having constituted so much and so long the theme of unscientific authors, are now considered well-nigh unworthy of serious treatment by scientific methods. But it is surely needless to point out that the phenomena which constitute the subject-matter of Comparative Psychology, even if we regard them merely as facts in Nature, have at least as great a claim to accurate classification as those phenomena of structure which constitute the subject-matter of Comparative Anatomy. Leaving aside, therefore, the reflection that within the last twenty years the facts of animal intelligence have suddenly acquired a new and profound importance, from the proved probability of their genetic continuity with those of human intelligence, it would remain true that their systematic arrangement is a worthy object of scientific endeavour.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
When I first began to collect materials for this work it was my intention to divide the book into two parts. Of these I intended the first to be concerned only with the facts of animal intelligence, while the second was to have treated of these facts in their relation to the theory of Descent. Finding, however, as I proceeded, that the material was too considerable in amount to admit of being comprised within the limits of a single volume, I have made arrangements with the publishers of the 'International Scientific Series' to bring out the second division of the work as a separate treatise, under the title 'Mental Evolution.' This treatise I hope to get ready for press within a year or two. My object in the work as a whole is twofold. First, I have thought it desirable that there should be something resembling a text-book of the facts of Comparative Psychology, to which men of science, and also metaphysicians, may turn whenever they may have occasion to acquaint themselves with the particular level of intelligence to which this or that species of animal attains. Hitherto the endeavour of assigning these levels has been almost exclusively in the hands of popular writers; and as these have, for the most part, merely strung together, with discrimination more or less inadequate, innumerable anecdotes of the display of animal intelligence, their books are valueless as works of reference. So much, indeed, is this the case, that Comparative Psychology has been virtually excluded from the hierarchy of the sciences. If we except the methodical researches of a few distinguished naturalists, it would appear that the phenomena of mind in animals, having constituted so much and so long the theme of unscientific authors, are now considered well-nigh unworthy of serious treatment by scientific methods. But it is surely needless to point out that the phenomena which constitute the subject-matter of Comparative Psychology, even if we regard them merely as facts in Nature, have at least as great a claim to accurate classification as those phenomena of structure which constitute the subject-matter of Comparative Anatomy. Leaving aside, therefore, the reflection that within the last twenty years the facts of animal intelligence have suddenly acquired a new and profound importance, from the proved probability of their genetic continuity with those of human intelligence, it would remain true that their systematic arrangement is a worthy object of scientific endeavour.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book The New Education: A Review of Progressive Educational Movements of the Day (1915) by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book Famous Men and Great Events of the Nineteenth Century by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book The War of Women (Complete) by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book Independent Bohemia: An Account of the Czecho-Slovak Struggle for Liberty by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book The Sufi Message of Hazrat Murshid Inayat Khan: The Way of Illumination by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book Daisy: The Autobiography of a Cat by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book A Book of Giants: Tales of very Tall Men of Myth, Legend, History, and Science by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book Kaffir Folk-Lore: Selection from The Traditional Tales by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book Rambles in Dickens' Land by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book The Sufi Message of Hazrat Murshid Inayat Khan: Healing, Mental Purification and The Mind World by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book The Prisoner at the Bar: Sidelights on the Administration of Criminal Justice by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book How to Appreciate Music by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book Mental Radio by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book The Secret of the Saucers by George J. Romanes
Cover of the book Sherlock Holmes: The Naval Treaty by George J. Romanes
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy