Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-07-19
For the Constantine nenuhllcnn


Ma. EDITOR Permit mo to offer some re-
marks, on a subject which has recently drawn
the attention Of portion of this community
mean the subject of Phrenology have atten.
ded some of the lectures of the gentleman, who
has introduced the subject publicly here; and
who, l. believe, has made some converts to his
doctrines. But, as am of the faithless, on that
subject, would submit, in plain manner, some
of the reasons for my inidelity.
FIRST ODJEcrIoN--Ph renology pronounces all
precious systems Of the Philosophy Of Mind, TO
be totally Without foundation in fact. 1t casts
them by as a heap of musty rubbish. Sir, 1 had
thought tho great minds that have successfully
appeared as inquirers in the science of mind,
had by the observation of facts, reduced very
many of the phenomena of mind to scientific or
der; and that we might confidently rely on their
conclusions, as first principles, from which we
might set out for farther researches in men,
tai science; and as valuable knowledge, leading
our minds to ennobling views of our nature, and
of the wisdom, power, and goodness of the Crea-
tor. The works of Locke, Reid, Stewart and
forts of the human mind. Their Investigations
have proceeded in the main, on the most rigid
rules of inductive reasoning. Observation and
experiment are at the foundat of their prnci-
Piles in metaphysics, as well as of the principles
of Newton, Kcpler and Davy in physical science.
Their conclusions on the nature, and laws of
operation, of the faculties of Perception Concep-
ton, Imagination, Association and Judgment,
consider as fully established, and on as solid
foundation, as the laws of Affinity, of Optics. or
of Gravtation. What then ought to DO the ma
turc of that "ncw light" to have the power, in
well-balanced minds, of destroying all confidence
in those conclusions Certainly, nothing short
ofthe most patient labored, and cautious review
of the whole field Of Enquiry passed over by those
mighty minds, and specifically pointed out pari
passee, the errors inthcir reasoning. Any thing
less, can be only the wild vagaries of theory -
not the sound deductions of pure science. The
sweeping assertions Of Gall, Spurzhcim and
Combe, are cheaply made they can be rcceiv.
ed only by minds unaccustomed to accurate
reasoning.
slight afoundation, on Which to build any sys-
tenn Of science sohateper. Tho physical organi.
zation of the brain is of so exceedingly delicate
nature, that anatomists have found it utterly i'm
possible to discover the peculiarites of that or
ganization, ON its dissection. They perceive only
uniform, pulpy mass of matter. They cannot
discover those dipisions into distinct portions,
which are prc-supposed in all the views of Phre.
biologists. They have indeed built their scheme
on series of assumptions. They assume, firstly,
the division oftho brain into distinct portions
They assume, secondly that a distinct power,
capacity, or faculty Of mind, is intimately de-
pendent on some one particular division of the
brain, and is independent of every other. They
assume, thirdly, that the power and vigor of
that faculty is proportional to the siz9<R its por-
ton of tho brain SO that-the NOR &ins, the
more wit. They assume, fourthIy, that the size
Of these divisions of bran is fully exhibited and
" developed" externally, on mans /" cranium'
And, finally, from these assumptions they draw
tho conclusion, that mans abilities, bent of
genius, tastes, dispositions, uirtues, and 81
ces, may be at once determined By the size and
shape Of his skull. This is the famous dogma of
the Pbrenologists
With regard TO these points 1 would make
some observations. First,-The external sur
face of tho skull is not uniformly symmetrical
with the internal; and consequently, "bump"
externally, docs not indicate, with any degree of
certainty, similarly shaped internal convolution
Of the brain. This circumstance alone, it seems
to me, is sufficient to undermine confidence in
Entomology. Sccond,--Ifit was proved that the