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brainheart
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In Psychological Types, Jung describes two kinds of Introverted Intuitives:
1. The Aesthetic Intuitive
The shift from one type to the other
2. The morally-oriented intuitive
Obviously these descriptions apply to both INTJs and INFJs, but I'm focusing on the INFJ here (INTJs are free to chime in too). I find this interesting because I think, for the most part, the second type of INFJ is the one who is presented in most INFJ descriptions. Is that because Fe= moral judgment? Could the INFJ who uses little Fe even be considered an INFJ, or should they just be described as a Ni user?
INFJs, which of these two types would you say you are most like? How do Ni and Fe play out for you?
1. The Aesthetic Intuitive
The artist might be regarded as the normal representative of this type, which tends to confine itself to the perceptive character of intuition. As a rule, the intuitive stops at perception; perception is his main problem and- in the case of a creative artist- the shaping of his perception. But the crank is content with a visionary idea by which he himself is shaped and determined. Naturally the intensification of intuition often results in an extraordinary aloofness of the individual from tangible reality; he may even become a complete enigma to his immediate circle. If he is an artist, he reveals strange, far-off things in his art, shimmering in all colors, at once portentous and banal, beautiful and grotesque, sublime and whimsical. If not an artist, he is frequently a misunderstood genius, a great man "gone wrong," a sort of wise simpleton, a figure for "psychological" novels.
The shift from one type to the other
Although the intuitive type has little inclination to make a moral problem of perception, since a strengthening of the judging functions is required for this, only a slight differentiation of judgment is sufficient to shift intuitive perception from the purely aesthetic into the moral sphere. A variety of this type is thus produced which differs essentially from the aesthetic, although it is none the less characteristic of the introverted intuitive. The moral problem arises when the intuitive tries to relate himself to his vision, when he is no longer satisfied with mere perception and its aesthetic configuration and evaluation, when he confronts the questions: What does this mean for me or the world? What emerges from this vision in the way of a duty or a task, for me or the world? The pure intuitive who represses his judgment, or whose judgment is held in thrall by his perceptive faculties, never faces this question squarely, since his only problem is the "know-how" of perception. He finds the moral problem unintelligible or absurd, and as far as possible forbids his thoughts to dwell on this disconcerting vision. It is different with the morally-oriented intuitive.
2. The morally-oriented intuitive
He reflects on the meaning of his vision, and is less concerned with developing its aesthetic possibilities than with the moral effects which emerge from its intrinsic significance. His judgment allows him to discern, though often only darkly, that he, as a man and a whole human being, is somehow involved in his vision, that it is not just an object to be perceived, but wants to participate in the life of the subject. Through this realization he feels bound to transform his vision into his own life. But since he tends to rely most predominantly on his vision, his moral efforts become one-sided; he makes himself and his life symbolic- adapted, it is true to the inner and eternal meaning of events, but unadapted to present-day reality. He thus deprives himself of any influence upon it because he remains uncomprehended. His language is not the one currently spoken- it has become too subjective. His arguments lack the convincing power of reason. He can only profess or proclaim. His is "the voice of one crying in the wilderness."
Obviously these descriptions apply to both INTJs and INFJs, but I'm focusing on the INFJ here (INTJs are free to chime in too). I find this interesting because I think, for the most part, the second type of INFJ is the one who is presented in most INFJ descriptions. Is that because Fe= moral judgment? Could the INFJ who uses little Fe even be considered an INFJ, or should they just be described as a Ni user?
INFJs, which of these two types would you say you are most like? How do Ni and Fe play out for you?