In his engagement with Houston Stewart Chamberlain, Zilsel points out that prejudices are paid for with the happiness and blood of others, and he questions whether the concept of the genius personality and depth poses a serious danger to our age. With "The Religion of Genius," Edgar Zilsel began his systematic studies on the social prerequisites and conditions of modern science, which he later continued in exile with scientific works on the beginnings of modern science. These works are included in: Edgar Zilsel, "The Social Origins of Modern Science." Edited and translated by Wolfgang Krohn. With a biobibliographical note by Jörn Behrmann, stw 152.