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Unconscious Memory

By Samuel Butler
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Philosophy & EthicsScience - Biology

About This Book

The author develops a theory that many instincts and habits stem from inherited, unconscious memory, arguing for continuity of personality across generations and latent recollections that shape behavior when recalled. He narrates how his earlier biological essays arose, critiques the contemporary reception of his proposals, and brings in translations and analyses of other thinkers on memory and the unconscious to probe instinct, cycles of repetition, and objections. The work weighs evidence and counterarguments and concludes by considering how unconscious memory can both preserve uniform patterns of action and produce departures that alter structure in living organisms.

About the Author

Butler, Samuel portrait

Samuel Butler

Samuel Butler was an English novelist, essayist, and social critic, known for his satirical and thought-provoking works. His most famous novel, "Erewhon," published in 1872, presents a unique utopian society that challenges contemporary Victorian values and explores themes of evolution and morality. Butler's writings often reflect his interest in science and philosophy, as seen in his essays and critiques of Darwinism in "Evolution, Old & New." He also authored travel narratives, such as "Alps and Sanctuaries of Piedmont and the Canton Ticino," showcasing his keen observations of culture and landscape. Butler's literary contributions continue to resonate, marking him as a significant figure in 19th-century literature.

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