MORAL SENTIMENTS.
Thisorgan views all actions in their moral aspect. It operates as an internal monitor, prescribing to its possessor the claims of truth and duty. Its power, however, does not enable it to decide upon what is abstractly just or unjust. This is affected by the character of the other organs with which it is combined. A person with large conscientiousness, and large Selfish Propensities, will consider an action just, which another, with the same amount of Conscientiousness, and smaller propensities, will consider unjust. This organ is essential to the formation of a truly philosophic mind, especially in moral investigations. It produces the desire of discovering the tact of recognising it when discovered, and that perfect reliance on its invincible supremacy which gives at once dignity and peace to the mind.
Predominant.—When this organ predominates, the individual looks always and only for truth, and receives it from whatever source it comes. He is thus disposed to regulate his conduct by the wisest sentiments of justice, which imparts an earnestness, integrity and directness in his manner, that leaves no room to doubt of his sincerity. He desires to act justly from the love of justice, unbiased by fear, interest or any sinister motive. When the actions have been contrary to the dictates of this organ, it produces remorse, repentance, a sense of guilt and demerit.
Large.—With this organ large, and the Selfish Propensities moderate, one will be eminently just and honest in all his dealings. He can never be brought to sacrifice duty to expediency. With large Firmness and Combativeness, he will be particularly firm, bold and decided on all questions of moral duty. He will never shrink from the advocacy of right, or from sustaining the defenceless from the unjust attacks of their enemies. If with this combination, Destructiveness is large, he will be inclined to severely censure any trickery or dishonesty in others; and if Causality is not large, he will consider himself the standard of truth and justice, by which all others must be judged.
Moderate.—With but a moderate developement of this organ, one will endeavour to act justly; and if Causality and Comparison are large, and the Selfish Propensities small, he will generally do so; but if the Selfish Propensities are very strong, he will be guided more by considerations of interest than of duty. If with this combination, and Adhesiveness large, while he will take advantage of a stranger in a pecuniary transaction, no power of circumstances can induce him to trespass on the rights of a friend. His compunctions of conscience will be few and feeble. He will not be scrupulous about what he requires of others, seeming to claim as a right, that they should make sacrifices to his interest and inclination. He will look more to the effect that actions and opinions will have upon himself, than upon their moral character. If Love of Approbation, Secretiveness and Destructiveness are large, he will be likely to indulge in harsh, censorious and unjust remarks upon the character of his neighbours, while at the same time, if Acquisitiveness is moderate or small, he will be strictly just in all his dealings.
Small.—With Conscientiousness small, one will have few or no compunctions of conscience; he will be ever ready to justify himself to himself, have little or no regard for moral principle, and an imperfect idea of right and wrong in the abstract. With large Self-esteem, Benevolence, and Adhesiveness, and with small Acquisitiveness and Secretiveness, he may be honest and kind-hearted in his general conduct, but it will be because he considers it dishonourable and unmanly to commit a mean action, and because it pains his Benevolence and Adhesiveness to injure another. With this combination he will extol his friends in the highest terms, but if he gets angry with them, he will traduce and vilify them, being in both cases regardless of their true merit. If Love of Approbation is large, he will adopt every means to please without regard to justice or propriety.
Thisorgan produces the sentiment of reverence, without regarding the character of the object on which it seeks exercise. By its influence man adores God, venerates saints, and respects parents, teachers and superiors in general. This organ is the source of natural religion, or that tendency to worship a superior power which manifests itself in every nation yet discovered.
Predominant.—With Veneration predominant, a person if religious, will be extremely devout, and will experience the most profound feelings of awe and respect in contemplating the attributes of the deity. If Marvellousness and Conscientiousness are large, he will be extremely susceptible of religious impressions, and will not fail to become a devout and enthusiastic adherent of the church.
Large.—A person with Veneration large, will feel profound respect for all persons and objects that are aged and venerable, or in any way entitled in his estimation to respect and confidence. With large Benevolence and Conscientiousness, he will not only act justly and charitably, but his actions will be accompanied and sustained by a feeling of respect and reverence for the abstract principles of justice and charity, that cannot be conceived by those who have this organ small. With large Love of Approbation, and small Conscientiousness, he will be disposed to think highly of those who are in high stations, the rich, the powerful and the grand. If Combativeness and Destructiveness are large, and Acquisitiveness small, while he may look with contempt upon the merely wealthy, he will feel much respect for the memory and character of the brave and patriotic. With large Intellect, the action of this organ will be exerted towards the character and persons of literary men.
Moderate.—With this organ but moderately developed, the sentiment of respect in general will have but a limited influence over the character of the individual. If Conscientiousness and Marvellousness are large, he will probably be religious, but he will not be so devout and enthusiastic in his devotions as many others with less real piety. If Love of Approbation is large, he will be exceedingly courteous and attentive, but his conduct will lack that deference and respect so necessary to conciliate esteem.
Small.—With Veneration but small, a person will be almost wholly destitute of the qualities ascribed to this organ. He may be religious, but the act of devotion will be a task to him, and he will be enabled to conceive those feelings of solemnity and awe, with which many are exercised. Children so constituted are disobedient and inattentive to their parents and teachers.
Thisorgan produces the desire of the happiness of others, and disposes to compassion and goodness of heart. It produces liberality of sentiment towards all mankind, and a disposition to love them and contribute to their pleasures. The benevolent man cannot feel happy, as long as famine, bodily suffering and mental misery are the bitter portion of his fellow creatures. He will never complain of the heartlessness or the ingratitude of others. He is so well aware of wishing well to others, that he does not doubt of their good will towards himself.
Predominant.—With this organ predominant, one may almost be said to be the victim of his kindness, good will and sympathy to others. In his zeal for the welfare of his fellow creatures, he seldom thinks of himself. In society, he restrains all his selfish inclinations, for fear of giving uneasiness to others. He will frequently meditate upon the miseries of mankind, and consider the various means of relieving their wretchedness.
Large.—With Benevolence large, one will be kind, charitable and forgiving. His whole demeanour will indicate goodness of disposition. If Secretiveness is small, he will be especially liable to imposition, as he will be conscious of entertaining no designs against others, and will suspect none against himself. If Adhesiveness is large, and Acquisitiveness small, he will be exceedingly liberal and generous. He will find it difficult to withstand the solicitations of charity, and will be especially alive to the interests of his friends. With Acquisitiveness large, he will be well disposed to charitable objects, but will seldom ever give to them substantial aid. He will be more likely to give his time and advice than money. If, with this combination large, Love of Approbation be added, it will greatly aid the effect of Benevolence. With but moderate Destructiveness, it will be difficult for him to witness suffering or pain; yet, with large Destructiveness, when it is necessary, notwithstanding his general kindness of disposition, can witness and even inflict pain, and take pleasure in it.
Moderate.—With Benevolence moderate, one will be kindly and well disposed towards others, yet, except on extraordinary occasions, will not make many sacrifices to their good. If Acquisitiveness and the Selfish Feelings generally are large, he will be avaricious and selfish to the last degree, and yet not be absolutely insensible to the claims of the unfortunate. If Love of Approbation is large, he may often give to charitable purposes, but it will be more for the sake of having his acts the subject of conversation than out of good will to the object. If Self-esteem, Combativeness and Destructiveness are large, he will be harsh, cruel and severe, and will be apparently utterly regardless of the feelings of his fellow men.
Small.—With Benevolence but small, one will be unfeeling and cruel. If Conscientiousness is large, he will not trespass on the rights of others in any particular, but his whole conduct will exhibit, notwithstanding, a disregard of all the tender amenities of life, and an almost utter absence of sympathy and good feeling.
Thisorgan induces the mind to contemplate the future with high anticipations of being able to realize whatever the other feelings desire. It thus causes us to be gay and cheerful, and to preserve the equanimity of our temper amidst difficulties and misfortune. Those who are destitute of it are prone to disobedience. Their ideas of the future are always dark and gloomy.
Predominant.—With Hope predominant, an individual is constantly revelling in the bright prospects of the future. He will be so sanguine of success, that he will neglect the means by which success can be attained. He will be credulous and visionary in all his enterprises and undertakings.
Large.—With Hope large, one always views the future with bright anticipations. If Caution and Causality are large, he will never be carried away by his expectations, but will pursue generally a prudent course, and not allow his hopes to hurry him into imprudent measures. If Combativeness, Firmness, Self-esteem and Ideality are large, he will be bold, speculative and enterprising; and if Caution is small, will be excessively rash, precipitate and imprudent, often attempting undertakings which to the less sanguine appear impossible. With this combination, he will never be cast down or discouraged; the vicissitudes of fortune have no power to repress his energy or restrain his enterprise.
Moderate.—With Hope moderate, one’s expectations will be sanguine, but not immoderately so. If Firmness, Self-esteem, Combativeness and Destructiveness are large, he will attempt important undertakings, and count with much certainty and pleasure their chances of success. If Cautiousness is large, he will despond much more than hope, will never attempt enterprises, unless their chances of success are almost certain; will expect too little, rather than too much, and will not be sanguine or cheerful.
Small.—With Hope small, a person will be constantly low spirited and melancholy. The brightest prospects can hardly excite his spirits. He will dwell perpetually upon the dark side of appearances, and will want enterprise and spirit.
Thisorgan produces credulity of mind. It predisposes to believe without sufficient testimony, and delights in contemplating the strange and wonderful. It has been supposed, that this organ is given to enable the mind to believe in those passages in Revelation, in which supernatural performances are related, and that consequently it increases the zeal and fervour of the devout and religious. Its more general manifestations, are to give a fondness for supernatural stories, and a love of the strange, the new and the marvellous, and sometimes leads to a desire to visit mysterious and unfrequented countries.
Predominant.—With Marvellousness predominant, one will be exceedingly credulous and visionary in all his views. He will readily take for granted whatever is told him of a wonderful character. He will disregard simple causes, and be disposed to account for any thing a little unusual by a forced and unnatural conclusion.
Large.—With Marvellousness large, and Veneration large, a person, if religious, will be eminently devout and superstitious. He will readily believe in special providences, divine agency, &c. With large Eventuality and Ideality, will be passionately fond of reading marvellous accounts, hair-breadth escapes, &c. With large Cautiousness, and small Causality, will be afraid of ghosts, and will profess often to see apparitions.
Moderate.—With but a moderate developement of this organ, and with large Causality and Comparison, one will be rather sceptical in his views, requiring much proof before his assent can be gained, yet at the same time, will keep his mind open to conviction, and will be willing to give subjects a considerate examination. If Causality is small, he will often adopt principles upon insufficient grounds; and with Ideality large, will be exceedingly fond of marvellous tales, and of fictitious excitement of a mysterious character.
Small.—With Marvellousness small, one will be exceedingly incredulous and sceptical. It will be impossible for him to believe any thing but what is susceptible of the clearest demonstration. With Ideality moderate or small, he will have great aversion to marvellous stories and fictitious works generally. With Veneration small, he may be religious, but his mind will be peculiar. He will not submit to the teaching of any man, and will form his creed from the results of his own reading and reflection.