The Illustrated Self-Instructor in Phrenology and PhysiologyFowler, O. S. (Orson Squire)
Science
The Illustrated Self-Instructor in Phrenology and Physiology
Fowler, O. S. (Orson Squire)
Phrenology
The second observation should be to ascertain what faculties CONTROL the
character, or what is the dominant motive, desire, object, or passion of
the person examined; in phrenological language, what faculties predominate
in action; and it should here be observed, that the relative size of
organs does not always determine this point. Some faculties, though very
dominant in power, cannot, in their very nature, constitute a motive for
action, but are simply executive functions, simply carrying into effect
the dominant motives. For example, Combativeness rarely ever becomes a
distinct motive for action. Few men love simply to wrangle, quarrel, and
fight for fun, but they exercise Combativeness merely as a means of
obtaining the things desired by the other dominant faculties. Few men have
for their motive the mere exercise of will--that is, Firmness is generally
exercised to carry into effect the design of the other faculties; and
instead of subjecting the other faculties to itself, simply keeps them at
their work, whatever that work may be. And thus of some other faculties.
But Amativeness, Friendship, Appetite, Acquisitiveness, Benevolence,
Veneration, Conscientiousness, or Intellect, Constructiveness, Ideality,
or the observing faculties, may all become dominant motives. And it
requires much phrenological shrewdness to ascertain what single faculty,
cluster, or combination of faculties, leads off the character.
Let us take, then, for our starting point, the outer angle of the eye, and
draw a line to the middle of the top of the ears, and DESTRUCTIVENESS is
exactly under this point, and it extends upward about half an inch above
the top of the ears, and in proportion to its size will the head be wide
between the ears. And if Secretiveness be small and Destructiveness large,
there will be a horizontal ridge extending forward and backward, more or
less prominent, according to the size of this organ.
Three quarters of an inch above the middle of the top of the ears,
SECRETIVENESS is located. When this organ is large, it rarely gives a
distinct projection, but simply fills and rounds out the head at this
point. When the head widens rapidly from the junction of the ears as you
rise upward, Secretiveness is larger than Destructiveness; but when the
head becomes narrower as you rise, it is smaller than Destructiveness.
To find these two organs, and their relative size, place the third fingers
of each hand upon the head just at the top of the ears; let the lower side
of the third finger be even with the upper part of the ear; that finger
then rests upon Destructiveness. Then spread the second finger about one
eighth of an inch from the other, and it will rest upon Secretiveness.
Let the end of your longest finger come as far forward as the fore part of
the ears, and they will then rest upon these two organs.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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