- The coordinate about the senses really piqued my interest, and it made me think about what we would classify as an extension of the senses. Particularly, I wonder if we would consider smart technology like phones or computers as an extension of the senses. Is a camera capturing images for you to see or a recorder capturing sound an extension of the eye and ear? Or should we think of them as external aids and not part of the senses.
- The advantage to physiognomy that struck me most was that it could be taught to others as a method of emotional intelligence. For those who do not have good comprehension of facial expressions, a standardized and taught science could be helpful. "When the science shall have the good fortune to become more general and shall have taught superior accuracy to the feelings of men". (Lavater, 48) This quote to me meant that people would have greater understanding of the emotions of others based solely on their looks as a direct result of the teachings of physiognomy.
page 34. These two men really stuck me because they were described as without "penetration, reasoning, or wisdom" because they 'look' like they are not smart. It made me wonder if these were real men and if they knew that this was being written about them. It also made me think more deeply about the connection between perceived beauty and assumption of smarts. Would these men have been denied opportunities because of their looks if physiognomy and its teachings were accepted? This also connects to the time period coordinate, because they could have used their observed 'knowledge' to affect people's futures based on their looks i.e. this man looks stupid, he should not be let into college, or that man looks smart, so he should be in accelerated courses.