Rational Sexuality & Human Behavior Collection
Works of William J. Fielding (1886–1973)
William John Fielding was an early 20th‑century writer who sought to popularize psychology, psychoanalysis, and sexology for a general audience.
His books combine cultural history, rational inquiry, and accessible explanations of human behavior.
Fielding’s works reflect the intellectual climate of the 1920s–30s, when Freud’s ideas were spreading and society was grappling with modern views of sexuality, marriage, and personality.
This collection brings together his major contributions—texts that explore sexuality as a vital force, the psychology of love, the dynamics of marriage, and the mysteries of personality.
They are valuable not only as historical documents but also as cultural artifacts showing how rationalist thinkers tried to educate the public on topics often considered taboo.
Collected Works
- Sex and the Love Life (1927) – A popular introduction to sexology, tracing human sexuality from primitive reproduction to modern love.
- Sanity in Sex – Advocates for rational, healthy attitudes toward sexual life, critiquing suppression and ignorance.
- The Caveman Within Us – Explores primitive instincts and their influence on modern behavior.
- Homo-Sexual Life – A study of homosexuality in historical and psychological perspective.
- Dual and Multiple Personality – Examines dissociation and the phenomenon of multiple selves.
- Psycho-Analysis: The Key to Human Behavior – Introduces Freud’s theories to a general readership.
- Chronicle of Love – A cultural history of love across ages.
- What Every Boy Should Know – Educational text aimed at guiding youth with rational sexual knowledge.
- What Every Married Man Should Know – Practical advice on marriage and sexual relations.
- Man’s Sexual Life – A comprehensive overview of male sexuality.
- Strange Customs of Courtship and Marriage – Surveys global traditions of love and marriage.
- Pebbles from Parnassus – A collection of poetry and reflections, showing Fielding’s literary side.
- Boccaccio: Lover and Chronicler of Love – A biographical study of Giovanni Boccaccio, linking literature and sexuality.
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Editor’s Note
Many readers may assume, from the titles alone, that these works are erotic. In fact, they are written in scientific language, discussing biological processes and human psychology rather than sensual description. The series was named Rational Sexuality precisely because it treats sexuality as a natural process, not as sin or taboo.
Fielding blends history with psychology, examining how religions have traditionally viewed sex and women. His rationalist perspective means that readers should expect critical commentary on religious attitudes, since his aim was to replace superstition with understanding.
