Human physique (hai’at): An essential parameter for temperament assessment: Then and now

Abstract

Temperament (Mizaj) is the core concept of Unani system of medicine bearing a direct relationship with the personality of an individual. This study of human temperament began around 6th century BC with Hippocrates, and since then, scholars contemplated various factors that can assist in the determination of human nature. One such factor is physique that always intrigued philosophers and thinkers who tried to understand the human nature. Thus, many of the Unani physicians included it as a criterion of temperament assessment. Although, eras might have changed but human physique never ceased to amaze the people. Earlier people used to classify individuals based on temperaments and attributed certain qualitative physical traits with each of these temperament. But now the scenario has changed with research based advancements in science, and methods have progressed to quantitative classification of human physique based on anthropometric studies. This paper is an attempt to bring all those personalities on a single platform who have made any effort to understand human physique.