THE RELIGIO-MORAL QUALITIES
The tenth group is known as the Religio-Moral Qualities, and is composed
of the following particular Qualities: _Reverence_, _Mysticism_,
_Optimism_, and _Conscientiousness_, respectively. This group manifests
outer form at the front-top of the head, and on either side thereof (see
Fig. 11).
[Illustration: FIG. 11 THE RELIGIO-MORAL QUALITIES]
REVERENCE. This Quality manifests in a strong reverence, respect and awe
for and of higher beings, persons in authority, sacred things, religious
ideas, constituted authority, leaders, teachers, and heroes. It may be
symbolically expressed by the word, "Worship." Like that of Mysticism,
this Quality contains within its field the highest and the lowest. It
manifests the reverence and veneration for the highest conceptions of
Deity and Being; and also the fear and base servile worship of idols,
demoniac deities, devil-gods, etc. Likewise, it manifests in respect and
submission for the lawfully constituted authorities; and also for false
leaders and prophets, charlatans and imposters. In the same way it
causes a hero-worship for those who have performed meritorious tasks and
have wrought good for the race; but also for the unworthy persons whose
sensational deeds have brought them into the "limelight" of notoriety.
It manifests in all forms of the highest religion; and in the lowest
forms of devil-worship and low superstitious awe and fear, in the
richest religious experiences, and in the wildest fanaticism and
hallucinations. The direction of the manifestation is decided by the
relative development of the other propensities, particularly those of
the reasoning faculties.
This Quality manifests outer form on the middle-top of the head, along
the middle-line directly in front of Firmness, back of Sympathy, and
just above Mysticism and Optimism (see group figure). When largely
developed, it causes the middle of the top of the head to "bulge,"
particularly if Mysticism be also largely developed, the combination
usually being thus.
MYSTICISM. This Quality manifests in a strong attraction for the
supernatural, the marvellous, the unknown, the mysterious. When
perverted it leads to superstition, gross credulity, belief in
witchcraft; faith in signs, omens, and warnings, etc. When balanced by
certain other Qualities it leads one to the higher flights of religious
experience, faith, and consciousness of the "light within;" but when not
so balanced it leads one to credulity, superstition and religious,
occult, and mystical imposture.
"Psychic" phenomena are familiar to those in whom it is largely
developed in connection with certain other mental qualities;
clairvoyance, second-sight, spirit-vision and other peculiar experiences
being common to these people. The prophets, seers, and wonder-workers
belong to this class of "psychics." Poets possess this Quality in many
cases. The manifestations of this Quality include some of the very
highest and the very lowest of "spiritual" experiences and feelings.
This paradox is explained when we consider the influence of the other
Qualities, high and low, operating in connection with that of Mysticism.
In the garden of Mysticism grow the choicest flowers and the rankest and
most noxious weeds.
This Quality is located immediately in front of Optimism, and below on
either side of Reverence, on the front-upper part of the head (see group
figure). When developed it renders the front top-head broad and
prominent.
OPTIMISM. This Quality manifests in a strong tendency to look on the
bright side of things, to expect the best, to anticipate the best.
Spurzheim says of it: "Hope is necessary to the happiness of man in
almost all situations and often gives more satisfaction than even
success. Those who are everlastingly scheming or building castles in the
air have it large. It believes possible whatever the other faculties
desire. It is not confined to this life, but inspires hopes of a future
state, and belief in the immortality of the soul. When too strong it
expects the unreasonable and impossible; but when too weak, with Caution
large, it produces low spirits, melancholy and despair."
This Quality when full produces optimists; when weak, pessimists; when
medium, the average person who swings between the two extremes partaking
of the nature of each. Those in whom it is developed to excess are apt
to see success in everything, and with a lively imagination translate
dreams into realities; of these persons it has been said: "show them an
egg, and the next minute the air is full of feathers." When this Quality
is weak the person is disposed to look for the worm in the apple, decay
at the heart of the rose, and for the skeleton beneath the form of
beauty. It has been said that "the optimist sees nothing but the body of
the doughnut; the pessimist, nothing but the hole."
This Propensity manifests outer form at the middle sides of the upper
head, in front of Conscientiousness, back of Spirituality (see group
figure).
CONSCIENTIOUSNESS. This Quality manifests in a strong tendency to act
according to truth, principle, duty, the accepted code of ethics,
conception of right, accepted religious teachings--in short to regulate
conduct according to the particular standard of "right and wrong"
accepted by the person. Those in whom it is large feel keenly their
personal responsibility, duty, and moral obligation. With Reverence
large, they model their standard of duty upon religious standards,
while with Reverence small, and Sociability large, they model their
standard upon social ethics, the Brotherhood of Man, and the "social
conscience." In fact the Quality itself gives rise to what is generally
called the "social conscience."
Combe says of this Propensity: "After more than thirty years experience
of the world in actual life, and in various countries, I cannot remember
an instance in which I have been permanently treated unjustly by one in
whom this organ and intellect were large. Momentary injustice, through
irritation or misrepresentation, may have been done; but after correct
information and time to become cool, I have found such persons ever
disposed to act on the dictates of Conscience; as well satisfied with
justice.... It leads to punctuality in keeping appointments so as not to
waste their time; to the ready payment of debts; will not send
collectors away unsatisfied except from inability to pay; are reserved
in making promises, but punctual in keeping them; and when favorably
combined, are consistent in conduct.... Its predominance makes a strict
disciplinarian and a rigid but just master; invests all actions with a
sense of duty; thereby sometimes rendering estimable persons
disagreeable."
In normal manifestation this Quality renders its possessor a most worthy
and estimable individual; but when abnormally developed and not balanced
by judgment and the reasoning faculties, it produces persecutors and
religious and ethical tyrants, adhering to the letter of the law rather
than to its spirit. Conscience is generally esteemed, but careful
observers deplore the "ingrown conscience" and "blue-law spirit" of
those of large Conscientiousness, large Destructiveness, and small
Sympathy. Many so-called "reformers" belong to this last class. This
Quality manifests outer form on the side of the top part of the head,
just below and on either side of Firmness. It lies between Firmness and
Cautiousness, with Optimism just in front of it and Approbativeness just
back of it (see group figure).