Letters on the Laws of Man's Nature and Development

Radical philosopher Martineau and phrenologist Atkinson discuss human nature, mesmerism, clairvoyance and atheistic naturalism in this 1851 publication.

Henry George Atkinson (Author), Harriet Martineau (Author)

9781108004152, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 July 2009

408 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.3 cm, 0.52 kg

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.

Preface
Mottoes
1. Inquiry for a basis
2. Proposal of a basis
3. Preparation of the ground
4. What is the brain?
5. Inquiry about its structure
6. Early days of phrenology
7. Inquiry for new discoveries
8. Methods of new discovery
9. Illustrative cases
10. Organic arrangement of the cerebrum
11. Dr. Howe's report on idiocy
12. The senses and nervous system
13. Illustrative comment
14. Facts about the senses under various conditions
15. Raising questions
16. Bacon, on matter and causation
17. Nothing
18. Knowledge and notions
19. Release from notions
20. Natural history of superstition
21. Theology and science
22. Central law and pervasive unity
23. Position and privilege of truth-seekers
24. Position and privilege of truth-speakers
Appendix.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX]