HOW TO READ HUMAN NATURE/PART 14
CHAPTER XIV
THE REFLECTIVE QUALITIES
The
ninth group is known as the Reflective Qualities, which is composed of the two
following particular Qualities: Analysis and Logic, respectively.
This group is accorded the highest place among the mental Qualities, for Reason
is ranked higher than Emotion, Feeling or Sentiment. Its purpose is to
philosophize, penetrate, investigate, originate, pursue the processes of
inductive and deductive reasoning, analyze, synthesize, take apart, put
together, combine, harmonize, search for, discover, and to manifest all the
processes of Rational Thought, using the report of the Perceptives as "raw
material." This group manifests outer form in the upper part of the
forehead, immediately above the Reflective Qualities. (See Fig. 10.) When large
it gives to the upper part of the forehead that appearance of intellectuality,
which is so commonly recognized, and which has given rise to the semi-slang
phrase "high-brow" as applied to persons manifesting intellect.
Fig. 10
THE REFLECTIVE QUALITIES
Analysis. This
Quality manifests in a strong desire to analyze, compare, classify, infer, discriminate, illustrate, etc. It
gathers together the "raw material" of perception, and proceeds to
analyze and compare its particular parts, and then to group the parts together
in a new classification and synthesis. Those in whom it is largely developed
manifest the power of comparison to a high degree, discovering
points of resemblance and difference almost intuitively. They will plunge to
the heart of a subject in a short time, and will be able to extract the essence of
an object or subject with comparatively little effort.
Spurzheim
says of it: "The great law of this faculty seems to be to form abstract
ideas, generalizations, and harmony among the operations of the other
faculties.... It pre-supposes, however, the activity of the other faculties,
and cannot act upon them if they are inactive."
Professor
Nelson Sizer says that it, "frequently discovers unexpected resemblances
among other things, and people who have it in a very active condition are
constantly surprising those in whom it is dull by their
novel illustrations. It is the source of the ability some writers possess
of using frequently metaphors and analogies.... While it contributes to reason,
it is not strictly so, per se.... It endeavors to prove that one
thing is of such and such a nature, because it resembles another that is so and
so; and because the majority of people have it fairly developed, they are prone
to convert an illustration into an argument. It exercises a most important
influence upon the mind in the way of analytical capability; and one who has it
largely developed is quick in discovering and understanding differences,
enigmatical assertions and improper or inaccurate allusions; hence it is
essential to critical acumen."
Gall
says, regarding its discovery: "I often conversed with a philosopher
endowed with great vivacity, who, when unable to prove his point by logic, had
recourse to a comparison, by which he often threw his opponents off the track,
which he could not do by arguments." It tends to reason by analogy, and to
make rapid and clever generalizations. The majority of scientists have it
largely developed, as also do discoverers in all lines of
investigation and research, and as Gall says: "Its possessors seize
and judge well of the relations of things, etc., and are well fitted for
business." It is attracted by investigation and thought regarding concrete
things, rather than by abstract subjects. It is scientific, rather than
philosophical.
As
Prof. O. S. Fowler says, it: "illustrates with great cleverness and
facility from the known to the unknown, and discovers the deeper analogies
which pervade nature, and has an extraordinary power of discovering new truths.
It reasons clearly and correctly from conclusions and scientific facts up to
the laws which govern them; discerns the known from the unknown; detects error
by its incongruity with facts; has an excellent talent for comparing,
explaining, expounding, criticising, exposing, etc.; employs similes and
metaphors well; puts this and that together, and draws correct inferences from
them."
This
Quality manifests in outer form in the middle of the upper part of the
forehead, along the middle-line, just below the hair, directly above
Eventuality, and between the two lobes of Logic (see group figure).
Prof. O. S. Fowler says of it: "It commences at the centre of the
forehead and runs upward nearly to the hair. When it projects beyond
surrounding organs it resembles a cone, its apex forming a ridge which widens
as it rises. Its ample development elevates the middle of the upper portion of
the forehead, and gives it an ascending form."
Logic. This Quality manifests
in a strong desire to inquire into the "Why?" of things—into
Causes—into the "Wherefore?"; and to reason therefrom to effects and
application of laws. Those in whom it is large manifest the power of logical
reasoning to a high degree, and abhor fallacies. This is the philosophical faculty
of mind. It searches back of facts and phenomena for causes, motives and
laws, and then reasons deductively from these. Combe says: "This
faculty prompts us on all occasions to ask, "Why is this so, and what is
its object?" It demands reasons and proofs in the
reasoning of its owner, as well as from others."
Prof.
Nelson Sizer says: "It gives ability to look deeply into subjects, and to
appreciate the logical sequences of arguments, hence it is large in
persons who indicate genius in metaphysics, political economy, and all sciences
of a profound character.... When prominent, and the perceptive faculties are
moderate, and Comparison (Analysis) is not equally influential, it tends to
speculative thinking. Men so constituted are given to spinning improbable
theories; their notions are too abstract for ordinary minds, and they are
looked upon as dull and heavy weights in society. On the other hand when it
(Logic) is deficient, the individual is superficial and incapable of taking
comprehensive views of subjects; or forming judgments that will apply to the
affairs of life successfully."
Professor
O. S. Fowler says that this Quality gives "the desire to know the why
and wherefore of things, and to investigate their laws; ability to
reason from causes down to effects, and from effects up to causes; the
therefore and wherefore; ability to adapt ways and means to ends, to plan,
contrive, invent, create resources, apply power advantageously, make heads save
hands, kill two birds with one stone, predict the results of given measures,
etc."
This
Quality manifests outer form in the sides of the upper part of the forehead,
one either side of Analysis and over Locality (see group figure). When large it
gives to the forehead a "high, bold, square" form. With large
Perceptives this Quality does not present so prominent an appearance and so
marked a comparison, but with the Perceptives small it gives to the brow an
"overhanging" appearance. With Analysis equally, or nearly as strong,
the fullness of course extends well across the forehead; but with Analysis much
smaller, Logic presents a bulging on each side of the forehead; while with
Analysis large and Logic small, the latter gives the appearance of two
depressions on each side of the forehead.
Spurzheim
well says of the combination of Analysis and Logic (which he terms
"Comparison" and "Causality," respectively):
"Causality and Comparison combined constitute Reason. Without Causality
(Logic) there can be no argumentative reasoning; without Comparison (Analysis),
no comprehensive views, and no nice distinctions. Observation teaches objects,
and Eventuality facts, while Comparison (Analysis) points out their
identity, analogy, difference or harmony, whereas Causality (Logic) seeks their
causes, and all together discern general principles and laws; draw conclusions,
inductions and creations, and constitute a truly philosophical
understanding."
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