In typology there can tend to be a bias towards thinking over feeling and intuition over sensing, and so on.
It’s helpful to look at the strengths and weaknesses of the functions in a more neutral way instead.
In a recent TWFP video, ‘Host Eric’ Strauss talked about how there are four basic skill sets in optimization of a human being: joy, intelligence, knowledge, and wisdom.He subdivides the eight cognitive functions into these four distinct categorizations. These four descriptors can tap into profound archetypes of the soul’s character, and allow distinct manifestations of each type to come alive. While every one of the 16 Jungian types has a distinct flavor or specialization of two of these archetypes, the psyche will naturally consist of all four of them In (at varying levels).
Starting with the perceiving functions….
Si and Ni he referred to as being functions of ‘knowledge’, where the individual can access a vast body of information that has been either accumulated via past experience (Si) or conceptual insight (Ni). The primary distinction between these two sources of knowledge is the following:
A prerequisite of Si-driven knowledge is that the individual directly experiences this knowledge in order that it can be referred back as a precedent that provides the Si user with an intrinsic foundation.
Likewise, a prerequisite of Ni-driven knowledge is that the individual captures core essential qualities as derived from its wider context. As a result, we have two distinct forms of knowledge, where one form requires direct interaction and experience with the information at hand and will be somewhat hesitant to form broader speculations, while the other aims to grasp a more holistic, conceptual understanding of phenomena but does not necessarily require any precedent in order to generate speculative hypotheses about it.
As we will see, the knowledge derived from Si and Ni will be quite distinct from the remaining cognitive functions (that serve completely distinct purposes).
In contrast to its introverted counterparts, Se and Ne are not directly aiming to attain knowledge. Rather, their focus is to attain a sense of spontaneous joy as they live directly in the moment. However, their means towards attaining that joy will be somewhat distinct.
Se is all about taking direct action towards acquiring experiences that matter to them. Contrastingly, Ne is not as much about the action that is taken, but rather, it is all about finding joy in spontaneously ideating novel, enticing possibilities. The spontaneous joy of Se will be more about directly interacting with all aspects of one’s environment, including the distinct sensory stimuli involved in performing the action.
The spontaneous joy of Ne, on the other hand, will be activated by their novel ideations that they create and generate in the moment. As a result, the fulfillment of these two functions originate from distinct sources and motivations.
Switching gears to the judging functions, Ti and Fi are considered to be functions of ‘intelligence.’ The reason for this is because both Ti and Fi represent internal frameworks by which we can assess the legitimacy of an action or scenario.
Ti represents an impersonal, logical framework by which one can gauge accuracy (or lack thereof). In contrast, Fi supplies a framework that is primarily values driven and is highly personal in its nature. Both Ti and Fi are deliberative functions in the sense that their purpose (irrespective of which one is predominantly used) is to deliberate in an inward manner as to the logical or ethical validity of a given action, word, or deed. To apply this assessment successfully can serve as a mark of ‘intelligence’ in the sense of having this capacity to apply some modality/framework of ‘reasoning’ (logical or ethical) towards any given scenario. It is in the direct utilization of such reasoning modalities that an individual’s capacity to intelligently deliberate over life’s core philosophical questions fully emerges.
In contrast to the implicit logical and/or personal frameworks that formulate Ti and Fi, their extroverted judging counterparts, Te and Fe, are considered functions that pertain more towards a broader sense of ‘wisdom’. Both of these functions are considered interfacing functions, which are all about handling and approaching dynamic changes on the fly for a given emerging situation.
Te entails approaching a dynamic, logistical, and impersonal operation in a way that ensures that its final outcome is handled smoothly and effectively. Likewise, Fe is all about handing a dynamic interpersonal situation in a manner that actively considers and adapts to the needs and priorities of those directly involved.
The reason why these two cognitive functions are associated with ‘wisdom’ is based on their complex and multifaceted manner of approaching each situation in real-time. Handling them effectively requires an approach that is able to discriminate wisely between those areas that require immediate attention versus other areas that might not be as pivotal. This is certainly non-trivial and requires top-notch logistical and/or interpersonal instincts.
Ideally the typology community will continue to evolve a language like this for cognitive functions that will help eliminate cognitive bias.
