Humorism

Humorism was a historical theory of human physiology and disease that posited that the body contained four fluid-like substances, or "humors", which were believed to be responsible for maintaining health and causing illness. The concept of humors dates back to ancient times, but the most well-developed and widely accepted formulation of humorism was developed by the ancient Greeks, particularly Hippocrates and Galen.

According to humorism, each person had a unique balance of four primary humors: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Each of these humors was associated with certain personality traits, physical characteristics, and tendencies. For example, individuals with an excess of blood were believed to be hot-tempered, while those with an excess of phlegm were seen as calm and composed. The theory of humors held that an imbalance of these substances in the body was the root cause of disease.

The theory of humors dominated medical thought in Europe for many centuries, influencing the development of numerous medical and philosophical systems. Despite being widely accepted, humorism has been largely discredited as a medical theory, as many of its underlying assumptions have been disproven. Modern medical science has identified the underlying biochemical and physiological mechanisms that govern human health and disease, making humorism a relic of a bygone era.

The theory of humors continued to be influential in fields beyond medicine, influencing concepts of personality, behavior, and social norms. Its ideas about the balance of opposing forces and the importance of a healthy "temperament" remain influential in psychology and philosophy to this day.