Three Contributions to the Theory of Sex | Page 5

the character of inversion after a painful experience with the normal sexual
object.
These different categories of variation generally exist independently of one another. In
the most extreme cases it can regularly be assumed that the inversion has existed at all
times and that the person feels contented with his peculiar state.
Many authors will hesitate to gather into a unit all the cases enumerated here and will
prefer to emphasize the differences rather than the common characters of these groups, a
view which corresponds with their preferred judgment of inversions. But no matter what
divisions may be set up, it cannot be overlooked that all transitions are abundantly met
with, so that the formation of a series would seem to impose itself.
*Conception of Inversion.*--The first attention bestowed upon inversion gave rise to the
conception that it was a congenital sign of nervous degeneration. This harmonized with
the fact that doctors first met it among the nervous, or among persons giving such an
impression. There are two elements which should be considered independently in this
conception: the congenitality, and the degeneration.
*Degeneration.*--This term degeneration is open to the objections which may be urged
against the promiscuous use of this word in general. It has in fact become customary to
designate all morbid manifestations not of traumatic or infectious origin as degenerative.
Indeed, Magnan's classification of degenerates makes it possible that the highest general
configuration of nervous accomplishment need not exclude the application of the concept

of degeneration. Under the circumstances, it is a question what use and what new content
the judgment of "degeneration" still possesses. It would seem more appropriate not to
speak of degeneration: (1) Where there are not many marked deviations from the normal;
(2) where the capacity for working and living do not in general appear markedly
impaired.[6]
That the inverted are not degenerates in this qualified sense can be seen from the
following facts:
1. The inversion is found among persons who otherwise show no marked deviation from
the normal.
2. It is found also among persons whose capabilities are not disturbed, who on the
contrary are distinguished by especially high intellectual development and ethical
culture.[7]
3. If one disregards the patients of one's own practice and strives to comprehend a wider
field of experience, he will in two directions encounter facts which will prevent him from
assuming inversions as a degenerative sign.
(_a_) It must be considered that inversion was a frequent manifestation among the
ancient nations at the height of their culture. It was an institution endowed with important
functions. (_b_) It is found to be unusually prevalent among savages and primitive races,
whereas the term degeneration is generally limited to higher civilization (I. Bloch). Even
among the most civilized nations of Europe, climate and race have a most powerful
influence on the distribution of, and attitude toward, inversion.[8]
*Innateness.*--Only for the first and most extreme class of inverts, as can be imagined,
has innateness been claimed, and this from their own assurance that at no time in their
life has their sexual impulse followed a different course. The fact of the existence of two
other classes, especially of the third, is difficult to reconcile with the assumption of its
being congenital. Hence, the propensity of those holding this view to separate the group
of absolute inverts from the others results in the abandonment of the general conception
of inversion. Accordingly in a number of cases the inversion would be of a congenital
character, while in others it might originate from other causes.
In contradistinction to this conception is that which assumes inversion to be an acquired
character of the sexual impulse. It is based on the following facts. (1) In many inverts
(even absolute ones) an early affective sexual impression can be demonstrated, as a result
of which the homosexual inclination developed. (2) In many others outer influences of a
promoting and inhibiting nature can be demonstrated, which in earlier or later life led to a
fixation of the inversion--among which are exclusive relations with the same sex,
companionship in war, detention in prison, dangers of hetero-sexual intercourse, celibacy,
sexual weakness, etc. (3) Hypnotic suggestion may remove the inversion, which would
be surprising in that of a congenital character.
In view of all this, the existence of congenital inversion can certainly be questioned. The
objection may be made to it that a more accurate examination of those claimed to be
congenitally inverted will probably show that the direction of the libido was determined
by a definite experience of early childhood, which has not been retained in the conscious
memory of the person, but which can be brought back to memory by proper influences
(Havelock Ellis). According to that author inversion can be designated only as a frequent
variation of the sexual impulse