Pionart
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2014
- Messages
- 4,024
- MBTI Type
- NiFe
I noticed the other day how the moral theory of Utilitarianism can be made to line up with the 16 types as per MBTI. I'm not necessarily saying that this accurately captures the types, and besides there are multiple interpretations to what each dichotomy means. This is just a fun little connection.
I will point out that someone I spoke to a few years ago basically made this theory (or at the very least provided some of the key ideas which I am using and which led to me seeing that there was a connection at all) I have just modified it somewhat to fit with my usual theory of morality. So I will start by describing how Utilitarianism works in my view, and then how it could line up with the types.
So, the theory goes as follows: the primary goal of our behaviour is in the maximisation and minimisation of pleasure, and it is intended that this be optimised across all effects of the decision, both to the person undertaking the behaviour, to other people (and beyond - animals, plants, and inanimate matter count too), and that this is to be measured across all present and future times, as conditions allow.
Now, this optimisation of the pain/pleasure balance consists of four factors, two positive and two negative, as follows:
+ to produce more pleasure
+ to reduce levels of pain
- to prevent the reduction of pleasure
- to prevent the increase of pain
It is to be measure across four basic areas that may be effected, namely present/future and self/others, so we have:
- how the self is effected at the time (the experience as it is experienced)
- how others are effected at the time
- how the self will be effected in the future
- how others will be effected in the future
Because the present here and now is where experiences take place, it has a privileged position, however we consider all that may be effected by the action, to unite experiences.
So, we may line it up with the MBTI as follows:
Sensing is the consideration of the present.
Intuition is the consideration of the future.
Thinking is the consideration of the self.
Feeling is the consideration of others.
Extroversion is directing energy to change the environment (positive).
Introversion is withdrawing energy to prevent changes to the environment (negative).
This next one though, I am less sure of, so it is tentative:
P types focus on maximising pleasure.
J types focus on minimising pain.
So, we may combine the four factors to produce each of the 16 variables used in the calculation of the optimal action at any moment, for example,
- increasing the experience of pleasure for yourself in the present (ESTP)
- preventing the increase of pain for others in the future (INFJ)
And so on.
This idea could be explored further in many possible ways, so let me know what you think, both of the merits of this idea, and any extensions and applications (and corrections/clarifications, if need be) you may think of.
Thank you for reading,
Legion
I will point out that someone I spoke to a few years ago basically made this theory (or at the very least provided some of the key ideas which I am using and which led to me seeing that there was a connection at all) I have just modified it somewhat to fit with my usual theory of morality. So I will start by describing how Utilitarianism works in my view, and then how it could line up with the types.
So, the theory goes as follows: the primary goal of our behaviour is in the maximisation and minimisation of pleasure, and it is intended that this be optimised across all effects of the decision, both to the person undertaking the behaviour, to other people (and beyond - animals, plants, and inanimate matter count too), and that this is to be measured across all present and future times, as conditions allow.
Now, this optimisation of the pain/pleasure balance consists of four factors, two positive and two negative, as follows:
+ to produce more pleasure
+ to reduce levels of pain
- to prevent the reduction of pleasure
- to prevent the increase of pain
It is to be measure across four basic areas that may be effected, namely present/future and self/others, so we have:
- how the self is effected at the time (the experience as it is experienced)
- how others are effected at the time
- how the self will be effected in the future
- how others will be effected in the future
Because the present here and now is where experiences take place, it has a privileged position, however we consider all that may be effected by the action, to unite experiences.
So, we may line it up with the MBTI as follows:
Sensing is the consideration of the present.
Intuition is the consideration of the future.
Thinking is the consideration of the self.
Feeling is the consideration of others.
Extroversion is directing energy to change the environment (positive).
Introversion is withdrawing energy to prevent changes to the environment (negative).
This next one though, I am less sure of, so it is tentative:
P types focus on maximising pleasure.
J types focus on minimising pain.
So, we may combine the four factors to produce each of the 16 variables used in the calculation of the optimal action at any moment, for example,
- increasing the experience of pleasure for yourself in the present (ESTP)
- preventing the increase of pain for others in the future (INFJ)
And so on.
This idea could be explored further in many possible ways, so let me know what you think, both of the merits of this idea, and any extensions and applications (and corrections/clarifications, if need be) you may think of.
Thank you for reading,
Legion
