One of the things that I've been pointing out is that the overal image of what LII looks like seems to be different depending on who you ask. I've decided to try to flesh out what these two different views would look like in the form of a description.

Many people, based on their reading of Jung and intuition about what and are, seem to articulate a vision of LII that I'll call LII-a.

People who are more in the "inner circle" of the Socionics community seem to describe something that I'd call LII-b.

My intent is to try to make this divergence of views as crystal clear as possible. Of course, the question of which one is "correct" (i.e., which makes the intertype relationships work out properly, which one makes for appropriate patterns such as Reinin dichotomies, etc.) is open to debate.

Hopefully, my wording of the descriptions is close enough to communicate what I see as these two opposing views of what LII must be like.

If you feel that one of these really describes another type (i.e., ILI, ILE, LIE, etc.), I'd be very interested in your thoughts.

LII-a:
The LII's 1st function , allows him to think clearly about discrete concepts. He's good at seeing patterns and structures, and good at coming up with new theories. Unlike irrational types, he views the world with the precision and clarity of discrete logic. Because he works problems out to the nth degree, he's very aware of the limitations of his own knowledge, and may have trouble coming to decisions. His awareness that there's always more to know (because he works out systems in such detail) gives him a low-key personality, as he knows that he doesn't have all the answers.

His second function, ,helps him to extend his understanding into areas that aren't formalized yet. Each time he grasps at a new concept through , he works at formalizing it with his structural logic.

With a relative lack of , he does not make decisions easily, especially ones about external situations affecting him. With a focus on rather than on , he's not in tune with social heirarchies and external systems. His emphasis is more on understanding concepts, causing him to focus his attention on academic topics at the expense of other things. His obliviousness to the world around him may cause him to change course due to external factors that he doesn't really care about. As a result, he usually doesn't find himself in a position of leadership, although his vast technical abilities may lead him into such a position.

Given his weak , he may seem somewhat passive. His dual-seeking can make him appear sensitive and caring. Focused on academic things, he lives a sheltered life, and sometimes his manner may seem almost childlike.

LII-b:

The LII's 1st function , allows him to make clear judgments and decisions, based on his sense of justice and his structural, systemmatic understanding of the world. Because he leads through his judging function, he may appear uncompromising, even stubborn. Although he's amenable to logical argument, it's generally very difficult to change his mind after he has made a decision. He places much trust in his extensive and very clear systemmatized understanding of reality. This creates the impression in other people that he appears to have all the answers. His judgmental tendencies may make him appear high-strung. One of his strengths, as a rational type, is that he's very good at making decisions and sticking with them.

His second function, , helps him to implement his agenda. Since he has made very clear decisions on what he wants to do, his next step is figuring out how to realize his ideas, and allows him to see the best ways to apply and implement what he has already decided.

Because of his rational nature, he's able to see what's important and what's not important. He's very able to understand systems and heirarchies. This helps him deal with organizations, social heirarchies, and external systems in general. As a result, he's very successful at influencing people and getting what he wants. Although he doesn't usually seek positions of leadership, his structured, systemmatic, decisive thinking often impresses others, leading him into positions of leadership when someone of obvious intelligence and uncompromising integrity is required.

Although he prefers the conceptual to the practical worlds, he's very good at getting done what he has to, because he has a clear sense of priorities through his rational nature. Given his weak , he sometimes comes off as abrasive and bossy to others. He may be sarcastic and insensitive to other people's feelings.