Buchanan's Journal of Man, December 1887: Volume 1, Number 11
History
Buchanan's Journal of Man, December 1887: Volume 1, Number 11
Medicine -- Periodicals; Phrenology -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
As the faculty of Conscientiousness gives us the control of our
impulses and selfish or sensual inclinations to qualify for the
performance of duty, its antagonist gives the vigor to the sensual,
violent and selfish passions, and prompts to the utter disregard of
duty. The one being vertically above the centre of the brain, the
other must be vertically below it; one being on the upper the other
must be on the basilar surface. This brings it below the margin of the
middle lobe, which is above the cavity of the ear. Hence through the
cavity of the ear we reach underneath the basis of the middle lobe,
where it rests on the petrous ridge of the temporal bone, and the
external marking would correspond to the cavity of the ear or meatus
auditorius. For this organ and faculty, the name which would express
its unrestrained action is Baseness, as it would lead to the
commission of many crimes and the violation of all honesty and
justice. For its moderate and restrained activity, the term
Selfishness would be sufficient as it induces us to heed our selfish
appetites, interests, and passions, in opposition to the voice of
duty. Its more normal activity is to invigorate our animal life
generally and prevent us from going too far in the line of duty,
patience, forbearance and benevolence. Let it be marked Ba. Its
position will be recognized on the vertical line between the frontal
and occipital, as it is not an element of energy and success, nor of
debility, but simply an element of debasing animalism, which is not
destitute of force.
There are in the human constitution the opposite elements of untiring
energy or industry, and of indolent relaxation. To the former we must
give an exalted position, as it is the sustaining power of all the
virtues; and it must evidently be farther back than conscientiousness
as it is of a more vigorous character. It is favorable to health and
therefore near that organ, and being free from selfishness it is not
far behind Conscientiousness. The letters En. show its location.
Energy being thus behind Conscientiousness, its antagonist Relaxation,
the source of indolence, must be anterior to Baseness, where we locate
the letters Re.
The opposite elements of Serenity or Patience, and Irritability are
easily located; the former is obviously entitled to a high position.
From its quiet nature it cannot be assigned to the occiput, and from
its steady, unyielding and supporting strength, it cannot be assigned
to the frontal region. It must, therefore, be in the middle superior
region, where the letters Pa. locate it. Irritability must be on the
median line of the basilar range (and antagonizes Patience on the
middle line above), but not as low as Baseness, for one may be
honorable though irritable and high-tempered, but such temper is not
compatible with very strict conscientiousness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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