For centuries, people have tried to get insight on other people by associating facial features with character traits. Over the years, names were attributed to these sciences and subtleties emerged. For instance, metoposcopy is the study of facial wrinkles.
Phrenology is the interpretation of the skull structure, and helps establish a person’s character and mental aptitude. The chief belief maintained since the 18th century is that there are organs on the brain’s surface that help detect such traits.
Physiognomy is what interests us today. It is the study of the features of the face to determine what kind of person one is. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was used rather freely to see if people harbored criminal tendencies.
These days, scientists categorize these as pseudosciences and don’t put much stock in them. They are treated on the same level as astrology: unproven but harmless. Still, many people believe face reading to be a reliable method of judging people. What’s important is analyzing the face in its entirety and not making hasty judgments until all the facts are in. (More …)
maa 6:36 pm on February 28, 2007 Permalink |
Finally found something good about having one eyebrow