Physiological psychology : a case of suspension of the mental faculties, of the powers of speech, and special senses, with the exception of sight and touch, continuing for many months : with a commentary on some of the more important of its bearings, upon the philosophy of the human mind, and the physiological psychology of man / by Robert Dunn.

  • Dunn, Robert, 1799-1877.
Date:
1855
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Physiological psychology : a case of suspension of the mental faculties, of the powers of speech, and special senses, with the exception of sight and touch, continuing for many months : with a commentary on some of the more important of its bearings, upon the philosophy of the human mind, and the physiological psychology of man / by Robert Dunn. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    A PSYCHOLOGICAL COMMENTARY. [From the Association Journal, Aug. 17th, 1855.] The republication in the Association Journal of my Case of Suspension of the Mental Faculties,” etc., induces me to offer some observations on the most important of its psychological bearings, to the consideration of those of my professional brethren who are interested in such inquiries. My reason for doing this arises from the fact, that since the case was first published, ten years ago, great progress has been made towards a more exact knowledge and a better under- standing of the functions and special endowments of the nervous centres of the encephalon, and from a conviction that the psychological bearings of the case are alike inte- resting and instructive. I need not say that the study of the human mind is a subject which has occupied the atten- tion of the greatest philosophers of every age ; nor need I remark how long it was enveloped in the shades of mysti- cism, bewildered in the mazes of metaphysical subtlety, and in the conflicting dogmata of chimerical systems. To Locke we are indebted for dispelling the mysticism of the schoolmen. Freed from the tyranny of ancient names, and regardless alike of the Stagirite and his categories, he discarded the syllogism, and instituted a searching analysis of the phenomena of thought. In the metaphysical world, like the immortal Newton in the mathematical world, he stands forth pre-eminent. No age or nation ever produced two greater luminaries of science. They live in the vene- ration of their countrymen, and are borne down the stream of time with a reputation ever gathering, and with the triumphs of a distinction that will never die. The doctrines of mind rest essentially on the basis of our physiological composition—they form a part of the physi- ology of man. For, however it may be attempted to sepa- rate intellectual and moral from animal and corporeal man, and however we may reason about our intellectual and c