About the book: 2012 / Paolo Mantegazza enjoys a reputation in Italy not only as the greatest writer in the fields of philosophy, psychology, anthropology and medicine. He was born in Pisa on October 31, 1831 and, having completed his elementary education at the age of eighteen, devoted himself to the study of medicine and for this purpose attended lectures in Pisa, Milan and Pavia. He entered the field of writing in the 23rd year of his life, and his first work was “The Physiology of Pleasures.” This work was greeted with extraordinary enthusiasm, and in a very short time the work of the young scientist was translated into all European languages. This work is not only of general interest to the entire educated public. It can be useful and edifying especially for psychologists, painters, sculptors and artists in general who study and depict human types, and, finally, for actors seeking to embody the immortal types of dramatic art in living images. Translation: Unidentified translator