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The study of Phrenology...

balthasarbalthasar Posts: 2,824
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in General Discussion #1
In these dark days of mumbo-jumbo, psychobabble & Indian spirit guides, Why does the noble science of Phrenology seem to be all but forgotten?.

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    CryolemonCryolemon Posts: 8,670
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    #2
    Wasn't it used to attempt to profile criminals for a while (in Victorian times, I think)?
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    AndrueAndrue Posts: 23,366
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    #3
    balthasar wrote: »
    In these dark days of mumbo-jumbo, psychobabble & Indian spirit guides, Why does the noble science of Phrenology seem to be all but forgotten?.
    Because it was never a science. It's a load of old cobblers and just an excuse to hit people on the head. Or are you asking why if all the other dozy ideas like homoeopathy are still around why not phrenology?
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    balthasarbalthasar Posts: 2,824
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    #4
    Adrrue, I read the threads about body language, lie detectors and how to spot a a wrong'un.
    So I thought what happened to phrenology?
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    FroodFrood Posts: 13,180
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    #5
    And you with the brainpan of a stagecoach tilter?

    (One for Simpsons fans there).
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    BerBer Posts: 24,562
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    #6
    balthasar wrote: »
    In these dark days of mumbo-jumbo, psychobabble & Indian spirit guides, Why does the noble science of Phrenology seem to be all but forgotten?.

    Same with trepanning
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    CryolemonCryolemon Posts: 8,670
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    #7
    Ber wrote: »
    Same with trepanning

    Trepanning is useful in certain situations. Mostly to do with severe concussions.
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 3,799
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    #8
    balthasar wrote: »
    In these dark days of mumbo-jumbo, psychobabble & Indian spirit guides, Why does the noble science of Phrenology seem to be all but forgotten?.
    Good question. Really it was quite a logical idea and on a continuum with modern science in that it was thought that personality and behaviour originated in the brain and could be explained in those terms, rather than using moral concepts like 'evil' or 'possession by spirits', or personality traits with moral judgements attached like 'lazy' or 'unfriendly'.

    People still informally use it. When you see a caricature of a scientist (an egghead) he's usually give a large forehead as that's supposed to indicate 'intelligence'.

    Related to it craniometry was very influential in ideas of race in the 20th century and useful today looking at human ancestry, pops up in the news from time to time.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craniometry#Craniometry_and_paleoanthropology
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    balthasarbalthasar Posts: 2,824
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    #9
    Ber wrote: »
    Same with trepanning
    This was more about the study of the skull, and are there any phrenology gurus around ?
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    The 12th DoctorThe 12th Doctor Posts: 4,338
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    #10
    Phrenology went out with the bloody humours. Absolute tosh, debunked aeons ago.
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    balthasarbalthasar Posts: 2,824
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    #11
    The 12th Doctor wrote: »
    Phrenology went out with the bloody humours. Absolute tosh, debunked aeons ago.
    Just a thought you know,
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