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Thread: The Functions According to Augusta

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    Let's fly now Gilly's Avatar
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    Default The Functions According to Augusta

    So I have been studying the functions for a while, and tbh I am sometimes frustrated by some people's refusal to learn the actual applications of the IM definitions, because for me, it has been integral to actually understanding what the functions "mean," at least as I have come to understand them. Therefore, I will now attempt to describe the functions as best I understand them, and show how they make a "complete" model of the perception of reality by the dichotomies that they define, as well as how they fit together to define Model A.

    Section 1: Components of Functions
    Section 2: Naming Functions
    Section 3: The Functions As Conglomerates
    Section 4: How the Functions Work Together


    Section 1: Components of Functions

    In this section, I will attempt to explain the most basic nature of the functions as they are defined by Augusta in what is known as her "cubic model," otherwise known as the Information Metabolism Elements, or simply the Information Elements.

    External/Internal
    Dynamic/Static
    Object/Field
    Involved/Abstract*

    *(note that this dichotomy is not used in most definitions of the functions, and while it is not necessary to understand the functions as they are applied in Model A, I think it is an interesting component of the functions that follows logically from the other dichotomies, helps define the boundaries of the functions and how they interact in Model A, and creates a nice counter-balance for the Internal/External dichotomy in terms of displaying the common qualities between Intuition and Logic/Sensing and Ethics)

    NOTE: For the sake of these definitions, the word "things" will refer to any"thing" that is observed by the functions (you will see why this distinction is important when you read Object/Field relations)

    NOTE 2: In all cases in which words appear that are used as the names for particular socionics terms, they refer to their dictionary definition unless the first letter is Capitalized, in which case they refer to their Socionics definition.

    NOTE 3: By virtue of the fact that the Socionics system is devised to interpret concrete phenomena rather than observe them objectively, no examples that are given as part of the descriptions of functional components or the functions themselves are "pure" examples of that particular dichotomy; simply by making a concrete example, which can be observed by or seen through the lense of any function, the example is flawed, but I have attempted to put sufficient emphasis on what is integral to the elements I am attempting to demonstrate. For example, you will see that the quip about God and your mother in the Internal section referring to Intuition quite clearly involves both Logical and Ethical elements, but I have attempted to make specific references to Ne and Ni, respectively.

    External/Internal

    External
    External functions observe things that are readily observable to the senses and require no deduction to "know;" there is no guess work involved. These things are simply apparent to those who observe them. All sensory or factual information is External in nature. The color of a fire truck, a baseball traveling from the pitcher to the plate; these are all Sensory qualities, which can be observed with the naked eye. Logical functions work on the basis of concrete information that has basis in the real world, or at least direct implications on the physical nature of things: the number of marbles in your basket, or the order in which you must put together the pieces of a car in order for it to work properly

    In short, External functions comprehend things that are innately physical, have concrete basis in physical reality, or direct implications in observable physical reality.

    Internal
    The internal aspect defines an element as comprehending things that are not readily visible to the naked senses; in a sense, there is an act of deduction involved. They take concrete, observable processes or qualities, and see them as indicators or signals of something that is underlying. Ethical functions use concrete information, for example a facial expression or tone of voice, to deduce something about either a person's emotional processes or their subjective attitude towards another person or an issue (I want to make a fine distinction between Fi and Ti in this sense, and would appreciate a reminder if I forget to do so at some point). Intuitive functions use gathered information about qualities or aspects that are not readily observable by the physical senses as persistent physical qualities (for example, that God is ESSENTIALLY an immaterial being, or that your mother TENDS to be feisty in bed).

    In short, Internal functions comprehend things that are not apparent to the naked eye, and must be deduced from things that are.

    Dynamic/Static

    Dynamic
    Dynamic functions observe motion, changing, or qualities of things related to their temporality, in either a concrete or abstract sense; this can be physical movement, fluctuation of internal states, or slow changes over time. Anything that exists in the space time continuum is susceptible to change, is constantly being influenced by everything around it in some way, shape, or form, and even if some elements of its being are constant, something is always changing, and this is what Dynamic functions seek to measure.

    In short, Dynamic functions observe everything as a continuous flow of events, not as separate but always changing.

    Static
    Static functions comprehend aspects of reality that do not change over a specified period of time. Persistent physical characteristics, relationships between people; static functions examine these things not as passing phenomena, but with the inherent assumption that the qualities observed are only relevant for as long as something "stays the same." Take, for example, a set of instructions for programming a remote control: they specify that everything must be done a certain way in order for the remote control to work; the inherent underlying assumptions are that everything is in working order, the control is in one piece, the TV is functioning as it should, etc; as long as these things are true, then the instructions should work.

    In short, Static functions see the world in snapshots, observing phenomena not as a continuous flow of events, but as singular occurrences, as existing in assumed "chunks" of time.


    Object/Field


    Object

    The Object half of the Object/Field dichotomy refers to functions that observe phenomena in isolation, conglomerations of parts that form one "thing." It is, in a very literal sense, "objective," seeing things not as they relate to anything else in particular, or the rest of the world, but in isolation, simply as "things." They view these things, and the connections within them, as individual, singular entities, and attribute characteristics not to individual parts of the "thing," but to the "thing" itself. Take, for example, a government: it is comprised of numerous departments, sets of rules and strictures, and even individual people doing their jobs, but in the end, all of these things comprise one singular entity: the "government."

    In short, Object functions focus on seeing the world in terms of separate entities and how they are comprised, rather than as being inherently connected to other entities.

    Field

    In contrast to Object functions, Field functions view the world in a way that is very literally "subjective," in that they focus not on individual entities, but rather the connections between them. Their emphasis is not so much on "things" as how things interact, affect each other, or relate or are relevant to one another. Take, for example, the act of catching a ball in motion: observing the ball move takes for granted the physical characteristics (size, shape, color, etc) of the ball itself, and instead focuses on the moment-to-moment connectedness of the ball's continuously shifting position in order to actively deduce its final location. One might also give the example of observing a painting, or perhaps the colors used to decorate a room: the focus is not so much on individual "spots" of color, but rather how they mingle as a whole to create a conglomerate impression.

    In short, Field functions measure the relationships between objects, how they interact.


    Involved/Abstract

    *to be continued*



    Section 2: Naming the Functions






    More to come.
    But, for a certainty, back then,
    We loved so many, yet hated so much,
    We hurt others and were hurt ourselves...

    Yet even then, we ran like the wind,
    Whilst our laughter echoed,
    Under cerulean skies...

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    Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap.
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    Also: herpes herpes herpes herpes.
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    Excuse me, what I meant to say was that I like what you're doing, please go on.
    First eliminate every possible source of error. Thence success is inevitable.

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    Let's fly now Gilly's Avatar
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    But, for a certainty, back then,
    We loved so many, yet hated so much,
    We hurt others and were hurt ourselves...

    Yet even then, we ran like the wind,
    Whilst our laughter echoed,
    Under cerulean skies...

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    i'll tear down the sky Mattie's Avatar
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    I really like what you're doing here, thanks! So far it read well and clear, you're doing a good job

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    Grand Inquisitor Bardia's Avatar
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    Pretty good so far, keep going.
    “No psychologist should pretend to understand what he does not understand... Only fools and charlatans know everything and understand nothing.” -Anton Chekhov

    http://kevan.org/johari?name=Bardia0
    http://kevan.org/nohari?name=Bardia0

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gilly View Post
    Static functions comprehend aspects of reality that More to come.
    I agree with this.
    “Whether we fall by ambition, blood, or lust, like diamonds we are cut with our own dust.”

    Quote Originally Posted by Gilly
    You've done yourself a huge favor developmentally by mustering the balls to do something really fucking scary... in about the most vulnerable situation possible.

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    Good stuff, Gilly... keep going if you get time... This will be really helpful to people wanting to learn this stuff!

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    take a second of me sarinana's Avatar
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    Are you talking about lithuanian Aushra Augustanavichiute?
    I have her book in lithuanian..
    Sincerely Yours,

    Beyond the clouds. Beyond the sun.

    The Rebel without a cause.

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    Let's fly now Gilly's Avatar
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    Bumped for updates.
    But, for a certainty, back then,
    We loved so many, yet hated so much,
    We hurt others and were hurt ourselves...

    Yet even then, we ran like the wind,
    Whilst our laughter echoed,
    Under cerulean skies...

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    Haikus
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    Based off the information provided here, why are both and field, yet is an objective situation and is a subjective situation?

    I'd imagine that they meant internal and external. It is apparent that I don't quite know which functions go with these given terms, so perhaps you can order them for me.

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    Hot Message FDG's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by polikujm View Post
    Based off the information provided here, why are both and field, yet is an objective situation and is a subjective situation?

    I'd imagine that they meant internal and external. It is apparent that I don't quite know which functions go with these given terms, so perhaps you can order them for me.
    Ti would be "detached", while fi would be "involved". I think he has yet to give his clarification of that dichotomy, since it's listed at the start.
    Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit

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    Let's fly now Gilly's Avatar
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    That, yes, but also fi is internal while ti is external. I may do some more on this today; no promises tho.

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    I like this stuff. I think DeAnte should read it.

    ETA: Oh wait, he is too stuck in his own view...

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    ***el X Mercenary
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ezra View Post
    I like this stuff. I think DeAnte should read it.

    ETA: Oh wait, he is too stuck in his own view...
    No worries Ez. I'll check it out a little later.

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    Quote Originally Posted by DeAnte View Post
    No worries Ez. I'll check it out a little later.
    Classic.

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    Haikus
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    a) are these from the book, or whatever you call it?

    b) can you please continue this? finish involved/abstract, and go onto placing definitions of the elements, if you have this information available. thank you.

    c) what is/are the best socionics resource(s)?

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    ***el X Mercenary
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    @Gilly, are these going to be finished/added to anytime soon?

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    Removed at User Request

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    In order for this to work you have to keep breaking it down even further. For example, once you define that other stuff, start giving details and specifics about the functions that wouldn't contradict the main general theory. Then we might actually have a scientific basis, shrug.

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    Let's fly now Gilly's Avatar
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    To be honest I don't care enough any more. I have a functional understanding of socionics that works just fine without in-depth explanation; this was really just going to be a bunch of wankery.

    Actually that's not true. It could have helped people understand better. But, like I said, I don't care enough any more; if I felt that there was some hope of Socionics becoming "big," I might take another stab at it.
    But, for a certainty, back then,
    We loved so many, yet hated so much,
    We hurt others and were hurt ourselves...

    Yet even then, we ran like the wind,
    Whilst our laughter echoed,
    Under cerulean skies...

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    Haikus
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gilly View Post
    if I felt that there was some hope of Socionics becoming "big," I might take another stab at it.
    Socionics is big enough already. It needs to go on a diet.

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