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HOPE. - This faculty was localized by Dr. Spurzheim. It lies between conscience and spirituality. Later, Dr. Fenrier located his Center of Exaltation in the same area of the brain the middle portion of the ascending frontal convolution.
In its normal action Hope imparts a general tendency to make the best of things, together with buoyancy, expectancy, confidence in the future, both as to this world and the next. After much research Dr. Combe concluded that
"The faculty of hope favors the exercise of faith and disposes to belief in a happy life to come. May not the existence of a future state be inferred from this faculty, as that of God from reverence? May not its instinctive tendency to leave its present scene of enjoyments, and to expatiate even in imagination in the fields of eternity hereafter, denote that man is formed for a more glorious destiny to come? Phrenology shows that man's ardent hope, and longing after immortality results from two faculties, love of life, and hope."
When the executive, constructive and general powers of intelligence, including a goodly degree of caution, unite with hopefulness, the individual does not recognize failure, even when it blocks his way but "wrings success from the jaws of defeat." Excess or Perversion, results in visionary ideas, castle building, unwise speculation and expenditure. Abnormal brain conditions sometimes produce the extreme and unbalanced action of this faculty.
Restrain by counting the cost and considering the obstacles in every undertaking. Avoid overrating prospects and underrating obstacles. Establish a rigid system of spending the income. Make an inflexible rule against any kind of speculation and reduce all plans to black and white. Write arguments for and against the undertaking under consideration. It is well to remember that there is danger in an excess of hope unless reason, judgment and conscience unite to keep it within wise and lawful bounds.
Deficiency of this faculty, especially when caution is excessive and spirituality strong results in pessimism and despondency, overrating obstacles and inhibiting effort.
Cultivate by looking on the bright side. Only as we are blinded by tears of weakness: and paralyzed by our fears, do we see ourselves as playthings of an irresponsible fate.
HUMAN NATURE OR PRESCIENCE - This faculty, sometimes called Intuition, was localized by L. N. Fowler. It lies between comparison and benevolence.
When strongly developed it gives a peculiar intuitive discernment in regard to the character, motives and intentions of men: and where allied to large benevolence, there is instant comprehension of the burdens and needs of those with whom persons so endowed, are brought in contact. Combined with strong spirituality the psychic qualities manifest in remarkable degree in prescience and intuition.
If the sub-conscious mind functions through a particular brain area, I should say that L. N. Fowler had discovered the seat of it in his localization of this faculty. For that reason I have placed it in the spiritual and moral group, as seemingly, it is a link between the intellectual and spiritual nature. Of this, Prof. O. S. Fowler, in his book on Human Science, says:
"Discerning universal truth is another of its functions. Since it reads men, why not also other truths equally? Intuitive perception from little data is its specialty. Men certainly do possess this gift, some to a much greater extent than others. *** Discoverers have this gift and with it, this organ large. It scents truth as the hound does the fox and apprehends it, not by labored ratiocination, induction or deduction, but by intellectual inspiration and intuitive discernment. *** No element of the mind should be more assiduously improved, because none confers a capability more useful or delightful."
Cultivate this faculty by the study of character, psychology, sociology, and all things pertaining to the nature of man.
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