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Literary
February 3, 1834
The Daily Cincinnati Republican, And Commercial Register
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio
What is this article about?
A 1806 Copenhagen biography of Swedenborg highlights his ideas, predating Dr. Gall's phrenology by fifty years, linking moral education, will, understanding, and brain activity to skull formation.
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Full Text
SWEDENBORG, THE ORIGINAL PHRENOLOGIST.—
A biography of Swedenborg was published at Copenhagen, in 1806, along with some extracts from his writings. It is shown by this work that the distinguished Swede, about fifty years previous to Dr. Gall's theory, entertained a very similar opinion.
The following are the words of Swedenborg:—
"Every man that is born has a disposition to all kinds of evil, which must be checked by education, and as far as possible rooted out. This is first to be attempted by correction and punishment, then by good society and example, which leads to imitation, and at last good is secured upon a true and religious root. When these conditions are all observed, it is indicated by a beautiful skull of the individual. On the contrary, should the education be neglected, or no sudden misfortune nor opposition hinder the first out-breaking of evil or disorder the evil afterwards become habit, and produces peculiar wishes both in design and practice, which cause the formation of a badly shaped skull. The cause of the difference of skulls in such cases is this: the peculiar distinctives of man, Will and Understanding, have their seats in the brain, which is excited by the fleeting desires of the will, and the ideas of the intellect. Near the various spots where these irritations produce their effects, this or that part of the brain is called into a greater or less degree of activity, and forms along with itself corresponding parts of the skull."
A biography of Swedenborg was published at Copenhagen, in 1806, along with some extracts from his writings. It is shown by this work that the distinguished Swede, about fifty years previous to Dr. Gall's theory, entertained a very similar opinion.
The following are the words of Swedenborg:—
"Every man that is born has a disposition to all kinds of evil, which must be checked by education, and as far as possible rooted out. This is first to be attempted by correction and punishment, then by good society and example, which leads to imitation, and at last good is secured upon a true and religious root. When these conditions are all observed, it is indicated by a beautiful skull of the individual. On the contrary, should the education be neglected, or no sudden misfortune nor opposition hinder the first out-breaking of evil or disorder the evil afterwards become habit, and produces peculiar wishes both in design and practice, which cause the formation of a badly shaped skull. The cause of the difference of skulls in such cases is this: the peculiar distinctives of man, Will and Understanding, have their seats in the brain, which is excited by the fleeting desires of the will, and the ideas of the intellect. Near the various spots where these irritations produce their effects, this or that part of the brain is called into a greater or less degree of activity, and forms along with itself corresponding parts of the skull."
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious
What keywords are associated?
Swedenborg
Phrenology
Education
Skull
Moral
Brain
Will
Understanding
Literary Details
Title
Swedenborg, The Original Phrenologist.
Subject
Swedenborg's Theory On Education And Skull Formation
Key Lines
"Every Man That Is Born Has A Disposition To All Kinds Of Evil, Which Must Be Checked By Education, And As Far As Possible Rooted Out."
"When These Conditions Are All Observed, It Is Indicated By A Beautiful Skull Of The Individual."
"The Cause Of The Difference Of Skulls In Such Cases Is This: The Peculiar Distinctives Of Man, Will And Understanding, Have Their Seats In The Brain..."