[6] Combe prefaces his work by stating, "no author has hitherto attempted to point out, in a combined and systematic form, the relations between [the laws of nature] and the constitution of Man; which must, nevertheless, be done...The great object of the following Essay is to exhibit these relations, with a view to the improvement of education, and the regulation of individual conduct.
"[7] Combe aims to use phrenology to develop a concept of the relationship between human nature and the external world.
For Combe, "A law...denotes a rule of action; its existence indicates an established and constant mode, or process, according to which phenomena take place.
At the end of this chapter Combe once again presents the purpose of the work: "My object, I repeat, is to investigate the natural constitution of the human body and mind, their relations to external objects and beings in this world, and the courses of action that...appear to be beneficial or hurtful.
Combe concludes the chapter by asserting once again that phrenology offers revelations into the nature of man, and can be used to support his argument that happiness comes with moral and intellectual growth.
Combe also emphasizes that theoretical and practical knowledge should be combined through the integration of scientific and religious teachings.
'[21] Initially, The Constitution of Man was indifferently received, selling in small numbers over a period of six years or so.
Published in an edition of 1,500 the book sold slowly until 1835, about 100 copies a year and received almost no reviews.
[26] With the financial help of the Henderson Bequest, an affordable edition of The Constitution was published, selling 59,00 copies in a 3 year period.
[31] Historian Anthony Walsh comments, "As a work which denied to a certain extent Divine intervention in worldly happenings, [The Constitution] was condemned as an expression of infidelity.
"[32] Numerous attacks made on The Constitution were met with responses in the Journal of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society of which Combe was a founder and member.
[33] Editions published after 1835 were notably different from the original version of The Constitution with additional sections and chapters added to address the religious controversy that surrounded Combe's book.