The various theories of the relation of mind and brain : reviewed / by George Duncan.

  • Duncan, G. (George)
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The various theories of the relation of mind and brain : reviewed / by George Duncan. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    seems too vast and too intricate for “ human ken.” Chemistry, which deals in intricacies, is unable to throw any light upon this dark enigma. Physiology has but contradictory and false theories to offer. Ana¬ tomy is in a like sad condition; and psychology—which is the science to help us in our investigations of this troubled theme—has itself been left unstudied, if not altogether neglected. And although we do not adopt the theories of our fathers regarding this subject, yet their phraseology is still popular with us. Do we not still speak of “ lily-livered boys,” “ splenetic fel¬ lows,” “ fellows of the same kidney,” “ warm-hearted, clear-headed men”? And what are these terms but the expression or perpetuation of our fathers’ theories, which placed these affections in those parts of the body? And though they are but theories, it would be difficult to disprove them. And what are many of the “ologies” of our own day but our fathers’ theories in another garb? Take phrenology: it confines to the head of man what our Father located throughout the body and head. Then we have the phreno-mesmerist, who is not content with the knowledge of the locality of our faculties, sentiments, &c., but must, by his magic touch, cause the musician to sing, the risible to laugh, the religionist to pray, the swimmer to swim, &c. We have then the physiognomist, who finds in the coun¬ tenance what the phrenologist finds in the head. We have another physiognomy, called “ Symbols of the Human Form,” which lays down as its fundamental
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