Human Traits and their Social Significance

Opening of the book

HUMAN TRAITS
AND THEIR
SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE
BY
IRWIN EDMAN, Ph.D.
INSTRUCTOR IN PHILOSOPHY, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
BOSTON   NEW YORK   CHICAGO
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
THE RIVERSIDE PRESS CAMBRIDGE
FOREWORD
This book was written, originally and primarily, for use
in
a
course
entitled
"Introduction
to
Contemporary
Civilization," required of all Freshmen in Columbia
College. It is an attempt to give a bird's-eye view of the
processes of human nature, from man's simple inborn
impulses and needs to the most complete fulfillment of
these in the deliberate activities of religion, art,
science, and morals. It is hoped that the book may give to
the student and general reader a knowledge of the
fundamentals
of
human
nature
and
a
sense
of
the
possibilities and limits these give to human enterprise.
Part I consists of an analysis of the types of behavior,

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