Letters On The Laws Of Man's Nature And Development (cambridge Library Collection - Science And Religion)

Henry George Atkinson (c.1812-c.1890), a free thinker and supporter of naturalism, published extensively on phrenology, mesmerism, and spiritualism. He became acquainted with the professional writer, political activist and radical philosopher Harriet Martineau (1802-76) in the 1840s, when she attributed her recovery from a long illness to mesmerism. Their correspondence was published in 1851, and promotes a radical form of atheistic naturalism, more extreme than that found in George Combe's best-selling Constitution of Man (also published in this series). It ranges widely over topics including the brain and the nervous system, matter and causation, superstition, theology and science. The book promotes the purity of natural law as superior to social customs and institutions, and reflects many concerns of the intelligentsia of the time, amongst whom it stirred up much controversy. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 16 Preface......Page 10 Mottoes......Page 12 1. Inquiry for a Basis......Page 18 2. Proposal of a Basis......Page 22 3. Preparation of the Ground......Page 28 4. What is the Brain?......Page 33 5. Inquiry about its Structure......Page 42 6. Early days of Phrenology......Page 46 7. Inquiry for New Discoveries......Page 58 8. Methods of New Discovery. Organic Arrangement of the Brain......Page 64 9. Illustrative Cases......Page 82 10. Organic Arrangement of the Cerebrum......Page 89 11. Dr. Howe's Report on Idiocy......Page 106 12. The Senses and Nervous System......Page 113 13. Illustrative Comment......Page 135 14. Facts about the Senses under various conditions......Page 144 15. Raising questions......Page 174 16. Bacon, on Matter and Causation. Inferences and Dreams. Association of Ideas......Page 182 18. Knowledge and Notion? Results of each......Page 218 19. Release from Notions. Entrance upon Knowledge......Page 233 20. Natural History of Superstition......Page 240 21. Theology and Science......Page 261 22. Central Law and Pervasive Unity. Light. Sense of Identity. Ghost-seeing. Unrevealed Human Relations......Page 268 23. Position and Privilege of Truth-seekers......Page 299 21. Position and Privilege of Truth-speakers......Page 303 Appendix......Page 310 Cover 1 Contents 16 Preface 10 Mottoes 12 1. Inquiry for a Basis 18 2. Proposal of a Basis 22 3. Preparation of the Ground 28 4. What is the Brain? 33 5. Inquiry about its Structure 42 6. Early days of Phrenology 46 7. Inquiry for New Discoveries 58 8. Methods of New Discovery. Organic Arrangement of the Brain 64 9. Illustrative Cases 82 10. Organic Arrangement of the Cerebrum 89 11. Dr. Howe's Report on Idiocy 106 12. The Senses and Nervous System 113 13. Illustrative Comment 135 14. Facts about the Senses under various conditions 144 15. Raising questions 174 16. Bacon, on Matter and Causation. Inferences and Dreams. Association of Ideas 182 17. Nothing 218 18. Knowledge and Notion? Results of each 218 19. Release from Notions. Entrance upon Knowledge 233 20. Natural History of Superstition 240 21. Theology and Science 261 22. Central Law and Pervasive Unity. Light. Sense of Identity. Ghost-seeing. Unrevealed Human Relations 268 23. Position and Privilege of Truth-seekers 299 21. Position and Privilege of Truth-speakers 303 Appendix 310 Harriet Martineau (1802-1876), the writer, political activist and radical philosopher, published this collection of letters between her and Henry George Atkinson in 1851. Atkinson's interests lay in phrenology, mesmerism and spiritualism, and their book explores human nature and philosophical atheism in that light, reflecting the concerns of the Victorian intelligentsia.