Phrenology, or, The doctrine of the mental phenomena (Volume 2).

  • Spurzheim, J. G. (Johann Gaspar), 1776-1832.
Date:
1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Phrenology, or, The doctrine of the mental phenomena (Volume 2). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    fundamental principle that to every argument an argument of equal weight might in all cases be opposed. The Pyrrhonic philoso- phers had the tendency rather to demolish every other philosoph- ical structure than to erect one of their own. If it be true that Pyrrho carried his scepticism to such a ridiculous degree that his friends were obliged to accompany him whenever he went out that he might not be run over by carriages or fall down precipices, his mind was deranged. The Romans conquered the Greeks by arms, but submitted to their understanding and manners. They found among them phi- losophical systems for all tastes. The gloomy and contemplative adopted the'Pythagorean and Platonic creeds. Brutus was favor- able to the imion of the Platonic and Stoic philosophy. Cicero was rather a w arm admirer and an elegant memorialist of philos- ophy than a practical philosopher himself. He held Plato in high respect, especially for his philosophy of natui-e; he also was an ad- mirer of the Stoic system concerning natural equity and civil law; he praised their ideas concerning morals, but he was continually fluctuating between hope and fear, averse to contention, and in- capable of vigorous resolutions, and full of vanity. Cato of Utica was a true Stoic;—Lucretius and Horace were of the Epicurean gect;—Plutarch,like Cicero,rather an interpreter of philosophers than'an eminent philosopher himself. Epictetus taught the purest morals, and his life was an admirable pattern of sobriety, magna- nimity and the most rigid virtue. Marcus AureUus was the last ornament of the Stoic school. About the close of the second century arose at Alexandria the Eclectic system: a mixture of the different tenets of philosophy and religion, to the detriment of both. Pagan ideas were mixed with Christianity, and the different sects of philosophy were ar- bitrarily interpreted. Subtle distinctions, airy suppositions and vague terms were introduced; and innumerable trifles were proposed under the appearance of profound philosophy.-Pagans became Christians and associated their ideas and language with Christianity, and the fathers of the Christian church studied the