In studying a personality theory, the most obvious (and easy) subject on which to run empirical "tests" on is one's own self. Therefore, in order to understand an explanation of a theory, FIRST AND FOREMOST, the theory should be able to be consonant with the person doing the investigation and understanding.
(Although this may be a thinly veiled cry for help from the community to help me identify my type [since I assume that the "Whats my type" forum is less "populated" by responses].....but I SINCERLY think that this post is a LEGITAMATE discussion point...even though there are many "I am this..." and "I am that...."...but I digress.)
Supposedly (based on my *individual* type preferences [i.e. E vs. I, N vs. S, etc.]) I am an INTP. (Also, let me state without hesitation: I am most DEFINITELY intuitive and irrational!)
However, in the individual function positions (i.e. Ni - Et - etc.) I do not find any correspondance with my own personality.
(And yes, I realize that the better way to determine type is by OTHER methods, but why the ad-hoc method? Why so complicated? I propose that maybe an increased understanding of WHAT each function IS and what it DOES at each POSITION is needed.)
Mainly,:
Ni - Supposedly concerned with TIME and IMAGINATION....
....which in my own self I do not see. I have a great deal of imaginations, but mostly these concern the creation/analysis of different theorys, original ideas that would solve problems/provide utility, etc. Unfruitful imagination is NOT my forte. I am more interested in trying to make fantasy a reality then to focus on the fantasy.
Aside: When I was younger (<8), I was interested in sci-fi and all that stuff, but now I would rather study the physics behind the fiction with a final eye on making a connection that will enable the realization of that sci-fi fantasy.
And about the TIME thing....while I am never late (when I WANT to be on time! ) I don't really see any ability to forsee into the future or see trends or predict behavior, or anything else that corresponds to this aspect of Ni.
Secondly,
Te - supposedly concerned with the fact, the logic outside in the world, the pendantry, the .... (oops, reading russian translations has rubbed off a bit! Pretty soon will start calling "his" and "hers" .... "its"!)
Alas! I have a disrespect for unmolested facts. Of course theory must be manifest in reality, but I like theory because it enables one to acquire the ability to DERIVE the facts rather than be BURDENED with having to remember them. Of course, the minute the theory does not work, it must be altered (for the logicians, this means that the AXIOMS must be changed, since any REAL theory is logically consistent regarding the derived predictions; any pretention to being a theory according to logic [and not an intuitive theory] MUST satisfy this relation: AXIOMS+LOGIC=PREDICTION)
I say this because there are those out there who claim to have theorys (that stubbornly resist changing) that are NOTHING MORE than inchoate globs of scattered intuitions combined with events that are magnified in importance in the eyes of the so-called-theoritician.
And finally,
Many people who *I* would type as INTJ's (I think that I may tell INT surely + my own assesment of thier "rationality") seem to have the traits that I mentioned above. That is, ***traits that are associated with Ni - Et.***
I see many "INTJ", (work in science) and the one-on-one's with them seem to manifest in:
They: this algorithm, this method, that equation, so-and-so did similar thing we do same
Me: new situation, we must start over, first principles, theorys can be altered since none are yet perfect,
They: moralizing, philosophizing, right and wrong,
Me: yes, interesting, but a given; logic says (shown by godel) everything is unknown, rather,
Me: see here? What can be done with this? Maybe we could use this ass....Maybe this could be.....What if we.....etc.
They: no, so-and-so's rule seems to say it may not work, impossible, crazy...
Of course, there is none to tell who is right or not, but MY opinion is that I am right. (I match their anger and exitement with an ON-PURPOSE weaking of voice and diminutiveness [so as not to obfuscate the situation with emotions] BUT with IRON clad logic until they are convinced.....pretty much I have to work backwards the theory until I hit AXIOMS then systematically [socratic methadally] show that BAD axiom can be replaced with a REASONABLE axiom that can accomidate my ideas.)
So, I am faced with different possibilities:
1) I am in error regarding Ni and Te manifestation.
2 a) I am in error regarding rationality and other introverts rationality/irrationality.
2 b) I am in error regarding introversion/extroversion and other introverts rationality/irrationality. (i.e. making me ENTP and them INTP)
2b seems to be the most convinent, however, I am most definitely NOT volitionally social. Social events impinge upon my research and I have moved to actively eliminate my social ties. (Most people like to do the "normal" things that I have no desire for anymore.)
I am most happiest when FREE from social restrictions. Free to investigate the world/science/etc.
I would say that I am not social due to the UNINTEREST on the part of myself to most forms of subject matter. When in conversations my love of the abstractions is insatiable, but there are two types: (I) either it is all too IMPRACTICAL for them or (II)they are given to FANCY and unjustified, uncorroborated SPECULATION under the guise of being "deep".
2b (that is, I am actually INTJ) seems invalid. I am not cold (in my opinion of course ) and I am frequently chastized for being too immature. However, when it comes down to perfecting something, I must have peace to think.
I think that perhaps E/I refers NOT IN ANY WAY to interpersonal matters, but to GOALS of the person. Extravert will have goals in the world; Introvert will have goals in the person.
I think that maybe ALL of the interpersonal matters should be struck from definition of E/I and be relegated to IMPLICATIONS of....
Like ES dominant will be manifest cause sex requires other people (sex BIG volitional sensing!)
Like ET dominant will be organizational of things, environment...and people are PART of that environment that needs to be organized
Maybe the only function that provides desire to connect/repel with people is the **F** coordinate????
Or maybe I am INFP and have no idea what I am talking about!!!!!
(This is a test)