Psychopathia sexualis: With especial reference to contrary sexual instinct A medico-legal study

"Psychopathia Sexualis: With Especial Reference to Contrary Sexual Instinct" by Dr. R. von Krafft-Ebing is a medico-legal study written in the late 19th century. This work delves into the complexities of human sexuality, with a particular focus on sexual pathologies, including sexual perversions and their implications for both individuals and society. It aims to establish a scientific foundation for understanding sexual deviations, exploring their psychological, physiological, and sociocultural dimensions. The opening of the text sets the stage for a comprehensive examination of sexual instinct as a powerful motivator of human behavior, intertwining sexuality with ethical, artistic, and emotional aspects of life. Krafft-Ebing emphasizes the lack of scientific discourse regarding sexuality, critiquing previous philosophical treatments and arguing for a medically-informed exploration of sexual psychology. He draws attention to the importance of understanding sexual phenomena in a clinical context, acknowledging that misconceptions and societal taboos often complicate discussions about sexual deviance. The beginning presents a clear intention to address this gap in knowledge, making the work not only relevant to medical professionals but also vital for the legal understanding of sexual crimes. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Richard Freiherr von Krafft-Ebing was a German psychiatrist and author of the foundational work Psychopathia Sexualis (1886).