physiognomy

Physiognomy is the practice of assessing a person’s character, temperament, or moral qualities from their facial features or other external appearances. In classical and early modern contexts it was framed as a natural science or art that linked outward form to inner attributes. In contemporary science, physiognomy is largely regarded as a pseudoscience and a historical curiosity.

The concept has roots in various cultural traditions, but it was developed in the Western world by figures such as Johann Caspar Lavater in the late 18th century. Lavater’s influential writings proposed that facial configuration reflected inner dispositions, and the idea spread through Europe and North America. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, physiognomy intersected with criminal anthropology and eugenics, helping to justify social and legal judgments about individuals and groups.

Practically, physiognomy claimed that features such as the shape of the brow, eyes, nose, mouth, or even skull were indicative of personality traits or moral worth. Its proponents used these associations to argue for or against social judgment, including distinctions based on race, class, or criminality, often leading to discrimination.

Modern evaluation rejects physiognomy as a reliable method for inferring character. Psychology recognizes that people form rapid trait impressions from faces, but these judgments are biased and not predictive of real personality. The term survives mainly in historical discussions and cultural references rather than as a validated discipline. Its legacy raises ongoing questions about appearance, bias, and ethical inference.