The sexual question : $b A scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological studyForel, Auguste
Science
The sexual question : $b A scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study
Forel, Auguste
Sex
To every sentiment of sympathy between two individuals (sympathy forms
part of the sentiments of pleasure) there is a corresponding contrary
correlative sentiment of grief, when the object of sympathy dies,
becomes sick, takes flight or is carried off. This sentiment often
takes the form of simple sadness, but it may attain a degree of
incurable melancholy. Among certain monkeys and parrots, we often see
the death of one of the conjoints lead to the refusal of all food and
finally to death of the survivor, after increasing sadness and
depression. Removal of the young produces a profound sadness in the
female ape. But when an animal discovers the cause of the grief, when,
for instance, a stranger attempts to take away his mate or his young,
a mixed reaction of sentiment is produced, that is to say anger or
even fury against the perpetrator of the deed.
Jealousy is only a special form of this anger. The sentiment of anger
and its violent and hostile expression constitute the natural reaction
against one who disturbs a sentiment of pleasure, a reaction which
tends to reëstablish the latter. The power of the sentiment of anger
increases with the offensive and defensive faculties, while, in weak
and peaceful beings, terror and sadness to a great extent take their
place. On the other hand, the sight of defenseless prey suffices to
provoke, in the rapacious who are strong and well armed, by simple
reflex association, a cruel sentiment of voluptuous anger, which is
also observed in man.
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