The head of the English philosopher can be seen at the exhibition

• The head of the English philosopher can be seen at the exhibition

The head of the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham, who died in 1832, will be exhibited for the first time after a long break. But there is no blasphemy - it wanted during the life of a thinker, shocked his contemporaries with their views of the world. At the same time, scientists want researcher of his DNA to find out was whether Bentham autistic.

The social reformer Bentham, who died in 1832, when life insisted that his body was preserved after his death as a "avtoikony". So he could be present at friends parties, so that they do not get bored of it, the philosopher explained.

He also encouraged others to donate their bodies to medical science, the belief that people should make themselves useful to society as much as possible both in life and in death.

Bentham was a convinced atheist, described the church teachings as "silliness on stilts" and was therefore against the burial according to Christian rites.

For over 150 years, his body was displayed in a glass box at University College London, but after an error mummification philosopher head seriously deteriorated. Now it is stored in a safe place, where goes only once a year to check the condition of the skin and hair.

Now the head will be shown in a new exhibition at the college. The scientists took DNA samples Bentham to test theories about how he might have been Asperger's syndrome or autism, reports The Telegraph.

Bentham was a leading philosopher and social thinker XVIII - early XIX century. He played a decisive role in the creation of the first British police, advocated women's rights and the legalization of homosexuality.

In this he differed eccentric behavior and led a secluded life. Philosopher gave names to things. His cane gave his name DAPL, kettle - Dickie, and his elderly cat styled only as "Reverend Sir John Langborn".

In 2006, researchers Philippe Lucas and Ann Sharan suggested that it was due to the unique nature of Asperger's syndrome. Such a conclusion they did after studying the biography of the philosopher. In his youth, Bentham had little "friends of his own age," and besides, he was noted for "tenderness". Now scientists want to get scientific proof of this theory. Recent studies have shown that autism is 82% due to genetics.