Benevolence is a faculty in the discredited theory of

phrenology Phrenology () is a pseudoscience which involves the measurement of bumps on the skull to predict mental traits.Wihe, J. V. (2002). "Science and Pseudoscience: A Primer in Critical Thinking." In ''Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience'', pp. 195–203. C ...

Concept

Phrenology maintains that an individual's character can be divined from the shape of his head as well as the sizes of the phrenological organs. These organs include Benevolence, which said to be the area just above the forehead. If its measurement is large in an individual, the phrenologist would conclude that he is highly benevolent. Divining benevolence in this manner does not only allow one to gauge the extent of an individual's benevolence but also allows him to arouse it. Interaction with other faculties: *Negative benevolence + positive firmness:

authoritarian Authoritarianism is a political system characterized by the rejection of political plurality, the use of strong central power to preserve the political ''status quo'', and reductions in the rule of law, separation of powers, and democratic votin ...

personality without consideration and humanity. *Negative benevolence + positive destructiveness: propensity for unkindness or

cruelty Cruelty is the pleasure in inflicting suffering or inaction towards another's suffering when a clear remedy is readily available. Sadism can also be related to this form of action or concept. Cruel ways of inflicting suffering may involve viol ...

in one form or another.

References

Phrenology {{psych-stub