Galen's Prophecy: Temperament in Human Nature

Nearly two thousand years ago a physician named Galen of Pergamon suggested that much of the variation in human behavior could be explained by an individual’s temperament. Since that time, inborn dispositions have fallen in and out of favor. Based on fifteen years of research, Galen’s Prophecy now provides fresh insights into these complex questions, offering startling new evidence to support Galen’s ancient classification of melancholic and sanguine adults. Integrating evidence and ideas from biology, philosophy, and psychology, Jerome Kagan examines the implications of the idea of temperament for aggressive behavior, conscience, psychopathology, and the degree to which each of us can be expected to control our deepest emotions.

"Nearly two thousand years ago a physician named Galen of Pergamon suggested that much of the variation in human behavior could be explained by an individual’s temperament. Since that time, inborn disp"

Publishers Weekly

Harvard professor Kagan supports ancient Greek physician Galen's theory that temperamental tendencies in humans are innate, and interprets their possible effects. (June)

Jerome Kagan is the Daniel and Amy Starch Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and the author of many books, including The Nature of the Child.