
CHAPTER I. - THE IDEAS AND SOURCES OF MYTH.
CHAPTER II. - ANIMAL SENSATION AND PERCEPTION.
CHAPTER III. - HUMAN SENSATION AND PERCEPTION.
CHAPTER IV. - STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM.
CHAPTER V. - THE ANIMAL AND HUMAN EXERCISE OF THE INTELLECT IN THE PERCEPTION OF THINGS.
CHAPTER VI. - THE INTRINSIC LAW OF THE FACULTY OF APPREHENSION.
CHAPTER VII. - THE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF MYTH AND SCIENCE.
CHAPTER VIII. - OF DREAMS, ILLUSIONS, NORMAL AND ABNORMAL HALLUCINATIONS, DELIRIUM, AND MADNESS—CONCLUSION.
INDEX.
In this thoughtful essay the author explores the nature of myth as a universal, instinctive function of the human mind. Drawing on philosophy, anthropology, and psychology, he argues that myth arises not from cultural accident or ignorance but from a deep‑seated imaginative faculty that shapes how we perceive the world, ourselves, and society. The work sets out to trace myth’s primitive origins, seeking a single underlying cause that transcends individual cultures and historical epochs.
While emphasizing myth’s enduring presence even in modern, highly educated societies, the author also acknowledges the parallel development of scientific reasoning as another essential mental faculty. He proposes that the two modes—mythic and scientific—are interwoven, each influencing human thought and behavior throughout history. Readers can expect a clear, systematic examination that challenges conventional views and invites reflection on the subtle ways myth continues to shape contemporary life.
Full title
Myth and Science An Essay An Essay
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (479K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by R. Cedron, Janet Blenkinship and the Online Distributed Proofreaders Europe at http://dp.rastko.net
Release date
Feb 19, 2006
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1828–1914
An early Italian champion of Darwin’s ideas, he wrote about myth, intelligence, and the links between human and animal life at a time when evolution was reshaping modern thought. His work moves easily between philosophy, anthropology, and natural science, making it unexpectedly lively for readers curious about big nineteenth-century debates.
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