Software Engineer
& Human Being
15k+top 2% overall
<h2>Abstract</h2>
<p>If we can understand the thinking processes that we use when doing Philosophy (and in general life),
then we can better understand the Philosophy that results from those processes. Following a Jungian model, I make
four distinctions between different types of thinking:</p>
<ol>
<li><a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_process_theory'>Rational vs Intuitive</a></li>
<li><a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraversion_and_introversion'>Introverted vs Extraverted</a></li>
<li><a href='http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fact%E2%80%93value_distinction'>Fact vs Value</a></li>
<li>Patterns vs Details</li>
</ol>
<p>By combining these, I generate eight Cognitive Functions: Ne, Ni, Se, Si, Te, Ti, Fe, Fi which I posit correspond to common patterns
of whole brain activity or ways of coordinating the various specialised modules of the brain.</p>
<p>I explain how each of us prefer four of these Cognitive Functions in an order from Dominant through Auxiliary, Tertiary and Inferior, and
that the 16 possible combinations of the cognitive functions constistute a useful categorisation of thinkers.</p>
<p>I conclude by considering the philosophical implications of this model.</p>
<h2>Resources</h2>
<p>The PowerPoint slides from the presentation can be found here:<br />
<a href='/downloads/Understanding Philosophers.pptx'>Understanding Philosophers.pptx</a>
</p>
<h2>References & Further Reading</h2>
<p>Full references for the presentation, and hints on where to look next if you are interested in finding out more</p>
<h3>Freely Available Introductory Material</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href='http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp'>HumanMetrics Test</a> - A test that will sort you into one of the 16 personality
types and assign you a 4-letter type code. This is not a good way of measuring type at all, but it is perhaps better to read further
into things with some sort of anchor (albeit a bad one) than none at all.</li>
<li><a href='http://personalityjunkie.com/typology-101/'>Personality Junkie Typology 101</a> - This resource is not academic, or particularly
rigorous, but it does give a clear and accessible introduction to type theory using the more sophisticated 'functions' model that I would
highly recommend anyone interested in Jungian Typology focus on.</li>
<li><a href='http://personalitycafe.com/forum/'>Personality Cafe Forums</a> - The 'Cognitive Functions' subforum, and the one corresponding to your
4-letter type may be of particular interest. Quality of material on here is highly variable, but you can sort of the wheat from the chaff, you can find
some gems. Particularly strong on fullness and variety of descriptions of types (e.g. INFJ) and functions (e.g Fe). Good to get an idea of the broad
spectrum of interpretations of type.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Classic Works</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href='http://www.amazon.co.uk/Psychological-Types-Collected-Works-Jung/dp/0415071771/'>Psychological Types</a> (<em>Jung</em>) -
One of Jung's most influential books, and the genesis of all of this Jungian type theory. Also the book where the terms 'introvert' and
'extrovert' were coined. Only read Chapter 10 - the rest is irrelevant and (IMO) not very interesting.</li>
<li><a href='http://www.psypress.com/books/details/9781138874930/'>Concious Orientation</a> (<em>Van der Hoop</em>) - I haven't actually
read this yet, as an affordable edition is yet to be published (due May 2015). However, has a reputation as an important work alongside Jung's
own, and was supposedly influential in Isobel Myers creation of the popular MBTI assessment.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Modern Works</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href='http://www.amazon.co.uk/Personality-Type-Owners-Manual-Hudson/dp/0877739870/'>Personality Type: An Owners Manual</a> (<em>Lenore Thomson</em>) -
A thourough and sophisticated exploration of type theory. Contains some unfortunate(ly wrong) ideas about left vs. right brain, but is nevertheless a good
resource in attempting to understand type.
</li>
<li><a href='http://www.amazon.com/Neuroscience-Personality-Brain-Insights-People/dp/0979868475/'>Neuroscience of Personality</a> (<em>Dario Nardi</em>) -
A progress report on Nardi's experimental work in correlating Jungian types (as measured by self-assessment) with neurological activity (as measured
by EEG reading when doing certain activities). Still in it's early stages, and not yet peer reviewed, but this is one of the most promising
avenues of research in type theory and informs much of my thinking on what 'Cognitive Functions' <em>are</em>. If don't want to
buy the book, then this <a href='https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGfhQTbcqmA'>youtube video</a> covers much of the same material (although in
less detail).
</li>
</ul>
<h2>More & 'Talking Personality' Meetup Group</h2>
<p>If anyone is interested in more, or wants to discuss this with me then please get in contact. I am somewhat obsessed and
always happy to talk to people on this topic</p>
<p>There is also a Meetup group for informal discussion of Jungian type theory which meets on a monthly basis, and alternates between Bristol and Bath. If you interested,
then please do come along. We're very friendly. <a href='http://www.meetup.com/talking-personality/'>http://www.meetup.com/talking-personality/</a>.</p>