THE REFLECTIVE QUALITIES
The ninth group is known as the Reflective Qualities, which is composed
of the two following particular Qualities: _Analysis_ and _Logic,
respectively_. This group is accorded the highest place among the mental
Qualities, for Reason is ranked higher than Emotion, Feeling or
Sentiment. Its purpose is to philosophize, penetrate, investigate,
originate, pursue the processes of inductive and deductive reasoning,
analyze, synthesize, take apart, put together, combine, harmonize,
search for, discover, and to manifest all the processes of Rational
Thought, using the report of the Perceptives as "raw material." This
group manifests outer form in the upper part of the forehead,
immediately above the Reflective Qualities. (See Fig. 10.) When large it
gives to the upper part of the forehead that appearance of
_intellectuality_, which is so commonly recognized, and which has given
rise to the semi-slang phrase "high-brow" as applied to persons
manifesting intellect.
[Illustration: FIG. 10 THE REFLECTIVE QUALITIES]
ANALYSIS. This Quality manifests in a strong desire to _analyze_,
_compare_, _classify_, _infer_, _discriminate_, _illustrate_, _etc._ It
gathers together the "raw material" of perception, and proceeds to
analyze and compare its particular parts, and then to group the parts
together in a new classification and synthesis. Those in whom it is
largely developed manifest the power of _comparison_ to a high degree,
discovering points of resemblance and difference almost intuitively.
They will plunge to the heart of a subject in a short time, and will be
able to extract the _essence_ of an object or subject with comparatively
little effort.
Spurzheim says of it: "The great law of this faculty seems to be to form
abstract ideas, generalizations, and harmony among the operations of the
other faculties.... It pre-supposes, however, the activity of the other
faculties, and cannot act upon them if they are inactive."
Professor Nelson Sizer says that it, "frequently discovers unexpected
resemblances among other things, and people who have it in a very active
condition are constantly surprising those in whom it is dull by their
novel illustrations. It is the source of the ability some writers
possess of using frequently metaphors and analogies.... While it
contributes to reason, it is not strictly so, _per se_.... It endeavors
to prove that one thing is of such and such a nature, because it
resembles another that is so and so; and because the majority of people
have it fairly developed, they are prone to convert an illustration into
an argument. It exercises a most important influence upon the mind in
the way of analytical capability; and one who has it largely developed
is quick in discovering and understanding differences, enigmatical
assertions and improper or inaccurate allusions; hence it is essential
to critical acumen."
Gall says, regarding its discovery: "I often conversed with a
philosopher endowed with great vivacity, who, when unable to prove his
point by logic, had recourse to a comparison, by which he often threw
his opponents off the track, which he could not do by arguments." It
tends to reason by analogy, and to make rapid and clever
generalizations. The majority of scientists have it largely developed,
as also do discoverers in all lines of investigation and research, and
as Gall says: "Its possessors seize and judge well of the relations of
things, etc., and are well fitted for business." It is attracted by
investigation and thought regarding concrete things, rather than by
abstract subjects. It is scientific, rather than philosophical.
As Prof. O. S. Fowler says, it: "illustrates with great cleverness and
facility from the known to the unknown, and discovers the deeper
analogies which pervade nature, and has an extraordinary power of
discovering new truths. It reasons clearly and correctly from
conclusions and scientific facts up to the laws which govern them;
discerns the known from the unknown; detects error by its incongruity
with facts; has an excellent talent for comparing, explaining,
expounding, criticising, exposing, etc.; employs similes and metaphors
well; puts this and that together, and draws correct inferences from
them."
This Quality manifests in outer form in the middle of the upper part of
the forehead, along the middle-line, just below the hair, directly above
Eventuality, and between the two lobes of Logic (see group figure).
Prof. O. S. Fowler says of it: "It commences at the centre of the
forehead and runs upward nearly to the hair. When it projects beyond
surrounding organs it resembles a cone, its apex forming a ridge which
widens as it rises. Its ample development elevates the middle of the
upper portion of the forehead, and gives it an ascending form."
LOGIC. This Quality manifests in a strong desire to inquire into the
"Why?" of things--into Causes--into the "Wherefore?"; and to reason
therefrom to _effects_ and application of laws. Those in whom it is
large manifest the power of _logical reasoning_ to a high degree, and
abhor fallacies. This is the _philosophical_ faculty of mind. It
searches back of facts and phenomena for _causes_, _motives_ _and laws_,
and then reasons deductively from these. Combe says: "This faculty
prompts us on all occasions to ask, "Why is this so, and what is its
object?" It _demands reasons and proofs_ in the reasoning of its owner,
as well as from others."
Prof. Nelson Sizer says: "It gives ability to look deeply into subjects,
and to appreciate the logical sequences of arguments, hence it is large
in persons who indicate genius in metaphysics, political economy, and
all sciences of a profound character.... When prominent, and the
perceptive faculties are moderate, and Comparison (Analysis) is not
equally influential, it tends to speculative thinking. Men so
constituted are given to spinning improbable theories; their notions are
too abstract for ordinary minds, and they are looked upon as dull and
heavy weights in society. On the other hand when it (Logic) is
deficient, the individual is superficial and incapable of taking
comprehensive views of subjects; or forming judgments that will apply to
the affairs of life successfully."
Professor O. S. Fowler says that this Quality gives "the desire to know
the _why and wherefore_ of things, and to investigate their laws;
ability to reason from causes down to effects, and from effects up to
causes; the therefore and wherefore; ability to adapt ways and means to
ends, to plan, contrive, invent, create resources, apply power
advantageously, make heads save hands, kill two birds with one stone,
predict the results of given measures, etc."
This Quality manifests outer form in the sides of the upper part of the
forehead, one either side of Analysis and over Locality (see group
figure). When large it gives to the forehead a "high, bold, square"
form. With large Perceptives this Quality does not present so prominent
an appearance and so marked a comparison, but with the Perceptives small
it gives to the brow an "overhanging" appearance. With Analysis equally,
or nearly as strong, the fullness of course extends well across the
forehead; but with Analysis much smaller, Logic presents a bulging on
each side of the forehead; while with Analysis large and Logic small,
the latter gives the appearance of two depressions on each side of the
forehead.
Spurzheim well says of the combination of Analysis and Logic (which he
terms "Comparison" and "Causality," respectively): "Causality and
Comparison combined constitute Reason. Without Causality (Logic) there
can be no argumentative reasoning; without Comparison (Analysis), no
comprehensive views, and no nice distinctions. Observation teaches
objects, and Eventuality facts, while Comparison (Analysis) points out
their identity, analogy, difference or harmony, whereas Causality
(Logic) seeks their causes, and all together discern general principles
and laws; draw conclusions, inductions and creations, and constitute a
truly philosophical understanding."