<영어로 읽는 고전 _ 사무엘 버틀러의 무의식의 기억>
"무의식의 기억"은 1880년에 처음 출판된 사무엘 버틀러(Samuel Butler)가 쓴 에세이다. 이 에세이에서 버틀러는 기억의 본질에 대한 자신의 생각을 탐구하며, 특히 무의식적 또는 유전적 기억의 개념에 중점을 두고 있다.
"무의식의 기억"의 핵심 주장 중 하나는 유기체가 의식적으로 접근할 수 없고 오히려 무의식적인 수준에서 작동하는 기억 형태를 가지고 있다는 버틀러의 제안이다. 그는 경험과 지식이 이러한 무의식적 기억을 통해 세대를 거쳐 유전되어 행동과 적응에 영향을 미칠 수 있다고 제안한다.
버틀러는 무의식적 기억에 관한 자신의 이론을 뒷받침하기 위해 생물학, 심리학, 인류학의 사례를 활용하고 있다. 그는 동물과 인간의 본능, 기술, 행동이 순전히 개인의 학습이나 자연 선택의 결과가 아니라 어떻게 이러한 유전적 기억에 기인할 수 있는지 논의한다.
이 에세이는 진화론에 대한 버틀러의 폭넓은 관심과 삶과 행동의 복잡성에 대한 대안적 설명에 대한 탐구를 반영하고 있다. 그의 생각은 그 당시 널리 퍼진 과학적 사고, 특히 진화의 주요 메커니즘으로 자연 선택을 강조하는 것에 도전했다.
"무의식의 기억"은 심리학과 진화 생물학의 역사에서 중요한 저작으로 남아 있으며, 후기 사상가들에게 영향을 미치고 기억의 본질, 유전, 진화적 변화의 메커니즘에 대한 지속적인 논쟁에 기여하였다. 버틀러의 무의식적 기억에 대한 탐구는 인지과학에서 문화진화에 이르기까지 다양한 분야에서 계속해서 논의를 자극하고 있다.


"Memory of the Unconscious" is an essay written by Samuel Butler, first published in 1880. In this essay, Butler explores his thoughts on the nature of memory, focusing particularly on the concept of unconscious or genetic memory.
One of the central claims of "Unconscious Memory" is Butler's suggestion that organisms have forms of memory that are not consciously accessible, but rather operate at an unconscious level. He suggests that experiences and knowledge can be passed down through generations through these unconscious memories, influencing behavior and adaptation.
Butler uses examples from biology, psychology, and anthropology to support his own theories about unconscious memory. He discusses how the instincts, skills, and behaviors of animals and humans can be attributed to this genetic memory rather than being purely the result of individual learning or natural selection.
This essay reflects Butler's broader interest in evolution and his search for alternative explanations for the complexities of life and behavior. His ideas challenged the prevailing scientific thinking of the time, particularly its emphasis on natural selection as the primary mechanism of evolution.
"Unconscious Memory" remains an important work in the history of psychology and evolutionary biology, influencing later thinkers and contributing to ongoing debates about the nature of memory, heredity, and mechanisms of evolutionary change. Butler's exploration of unconscious memory continues to stimulate discussion in fields ranging from cognitive science to cultural evolution.

Summary
There are few things which strike us with more surprise, when we review the course taken by opinion in the last century, than the suddenness with which belief in witchcraft and demoniacal possession came to an end. This has been often remarked upon, but I am not acquainted with any record of the fact as it appeared to those under whose eyes the change was taking place, nor have I seen any contemporary explanation of the reasons which led to the apparently sudden overthrow of a belief which had seemed hitherto to be deeply rooted in the minds of almost all men. As a parallel to this, though in respect of the rapid spread of an opinion, and not its decadence, it is probable that those of our descendants who take an interest in ourselves will note the suddenness with which the theory of evolution, from having been generally ridiculed during a period of over a hundred years, came into popularity and almost universal acceptance among educated people.

Contents
Author’s Preface
Chapter I. Introduction?General ignorance on the subject of evolution at the time the “Origin of Species” was published in 1859
Chapter II. How I came to write “Life and Habit,” and the circumstances of its completion
Chapter III. How I came to write “Evolution, Old and New”?Mr Darwin’s “brief but imperfect” sketch of the opinions of the writers on evolution who had preceded him?The reception which “Evolution, Old and New,” met with
Chapter IV. The manner in which Mr. Darwin met “Evolution, Old and New”
Chapter V. Introduction to Professor Hering’s lecture
Chapter VI. Professor Ewald Hering “On Memory”
Chapter VII. Introduction to a translation of the chapter upon instinct in Von Hartmann’s “Philosophy of the Unconscious”
Chapter VIII. Translation of the chapter on “The Unconscious in Instinct,” from Von Hartmann’s “Philosophy of the Unconscious”
Chapter IX. Remarks upon Von Hartmann’s position in regard to instinct
Chapter X. Recapitulation and statement of an objection
Chapter XI. On Cycles
Chapter XII Refutation?Memory at once a promoter and a disturber of uniformity of action and structure
Chapter XIII. Conclusion