In Chapter 3, Davis explains how modernity was a period where monomania, or obsession, was intertwined with specialization. He says, “Thinking too much is the symptom and cause of mental distress.” When one becomes totally absorbed with a certain topic for a long amount of time, there is a great possibility of an obsession developing. The reading shows how scientists were more inclined to developing monomania because they were constantly involved with specialized fields, where they had no choice, but to study and give all of their attention to their experiments. Being specialized and focused in one area alone, as we went over in our last class, led to the development of an obsession. The example pertaining to Sir Francis Galton becoming obsessed with measuring, I found to be very interesting. He started off with measuring his breathing time and then going as far as wanting to measure the Hottentot Venus’s shape. Davis explains how a fixed idea in anyone’s work or daily life ultimately runs the risk of obsession.
Great analysis! This chapter really gave me a new outlook on obsession. Who new ones work can lead to an obsession. The thought of there being a risk for people to become obsessed over there work is something I would have never guessed. Obsession is very broad and doesn't discriminate, it cam affect anyone at any given time in any given place. I think that's what Davis was trying to explain. It was also good to see the benefits obsession can have for some like Galton. His obsession helped him becomes better scientist and therefore not only benefited him but the world as well.
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