This book reconstructs the rise and fall of Wilhelm Wundt¿s fortunes focusing for the first
time on the role of Richard Avenarius as catalyst for the so-called ¿positivist repudiation of
Wundt.¿ Krauss specifically looks at the progressive disavowal of Wundtian ideas in the world
of scientific psychology and especially by his former pupils. This book provides important
historical context and a critical discussion of the current state of research in addition to a
detailed consideration of Wundt¿s and Avenarius¿ systems of thought as well as on their
personal relationship. The author outlines the reception of Avenarius¿ conceptions among
Wundt¿s pupils such as Külpe Münsterberg and Titchener and among other psychologists of the
time such as Ward James and Ebbinghaus. Finally this book presents Wundt¿s two-fold attempt
to respond to the new trend through a criticism of the ¿materialistic¿ psychology and a
reformulation of his own ideas.
