Psychopathia sexualis: With especial reference to contrary sexual instinct / A medico-legal study

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

64931

Title

Psychopathia sexualis: With especial reference to contrary sexual instinct / A medico-legal study

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A pioneering medico-legal study by Dr. R. von Krafft-Ebing, this text scientifically examines sexual pathology, contrasting philosophical and poetic views with medical reality. It explores the anatomy and psychology of contrary sexual instincts, offering a rigorous, often stark analysis of sexual perversion, criminality, and the intersection of morality, law, and human weakness.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Psychopathia Sexualis*, Professor R. von Krafft-Ebing presents a groundbreaking medico-legal investigation into the psychopathology of human sexuality. Rejecting the subjective interpretations of philosophers and poets, who he argues view sexuality through the lens of feeling or despair, Krafft-Ebing asserts that only medical science can provide a truthful, anatomical, and physiological understanding of these complex drives. The work serves as both a clinical guide for physicians and a forensic resource for jurists, aiming to replace erroneous public opinions with scientific fact. The text meticulously distinguishes between normal sexual variations and pathological manifestations, focusing specifically on 'contrary sexual instinct' (sexual inversion). Krafft-Ebing details numerous case studies to illustrate these conditions, including the rare instance of feminine masochism and the complex case of 'S.' (Count Sandor), a woman with a congenital inversion of sexual instinct who identified as male. He documents physical anomalies, psychological states, and forensic implications, asserting that such conditions often stem from hereditary taints rather than moral failing. This distinction is crucial for determining criminal responsibility. Krafft-Ebing further differentiates between 'sexual bondage'—an abnormal but non-perverse dependence where one individual submits to another of the opposite sex—and true perversion. He also addresses the coexistence of contrary instincts with sadistic or masochistic behaviors, citing historical examples of cruelty linked to sexual pathology. The author emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between congenital and acquired conditions, noting that if sexual inversion exists before the onset of masturbation, it is likely congenital. Ultimately, the book seeks to illuminate the 'shadows' of human misery where godlike poetic creations become hideous masks. Krafft-Ebing advocates for a compassionate yet rigorous scientific approach to understanding sexual insanity, positing that the medical profession has a duty to save the honor of mankind before the Court of Morality by explaining these 'dark sides' of human life. By referring morbid conditions to their underlying causes, the work aims to protect individuals from unjust judgments and extend understanding to the moralist.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Psychology
• Classics