I.. The unique nature of what it is to be a human being is
directly relevant to the question of what is possible for human
beings to do. An ethics, then, could be derived from the
psychological aspects of personality of human beings. We could
consider any psychology here and trace the implications for
naturalistic ethics. For simplicity, we will consider Jung’s
psychology of the conscious mind as described in his Psychological
Types as a case study.
|
|
A. Jung states that there are two differing attitudes toward
life--two different modes of reacting to circumstances. No one lives
completely as one type or the other; your type might be innate, at
least your type begins very early in life.
|
|
|
1. Quote Fordham, 29:
|
|
|
2. Extroverted attitude: a standpoint characterized
by an outward flowing of personal energy (libido)—an
interest in events, in people and things, a relationship with them,
and a dependence on them. The extrovert is usually ... |
|
|
|
a. motivated by outside factors and greatly influenced by the
environment, |
|
|
|
b. sociable and confident in unfamiliar surroundings, less
cautious, less fearful, and |
|
|
|
c. likes organizations, parties, and tends to be optimistic and
enthusiastic. |
|
|
|
d. Weaknesses of the extroverted attitude include: |
|
|
|
|
(1) a dependence on making a good impression, |
|
|
|
|
(2) easily making and breaking relationships, |
|
|
|
|
(3) regarding reflection as being morbid and avoiding being
alone, |
|
|
|
|
(4) lacking self-criticism, and |
|
|
|
|
(5) accepting the morals and conventions of the
day--conventional.
|
|
|
3. Introverted Attitude: characterized by an inward
flowing of personal energy—a withdrawal concentrating on
subjective factors. The introvert is usually ... |
|
|
|
a. happy alone with a rich imagination, and |
|
|
|
b. prefers reflection to activity. |
|
|
|
c. Weakness of the introverted attitude includes ... |
|
|
|
|
(1) a lack confidence in relation to people and things and |
|
|
|
|
(2) a tendency to be unsociable, shy, and hesitant.
|
|
|
4. Each type misjudges the other; they tend to notice the
negative aspects of the other. |
|
|
|
a. The introvert is seen as egotistical, dull, and
self-centered; the extrovert is seen as superficial and
insincere. |
|
|
|
b. Our Western attitude is extroverted; value is put on being
outgoing which we consider being well adjusted. The East is seen as
inscrutable. |
|
|
|
c. Jung says that there is a marked tendency for either type to
marry its opposite (each secretly hopes that the other will take
care of the side of the life each lacks). |
|
|
|
|
(1) All goes well as long as both persons adapt themselves to the
needs of life. |
|
|
|
|
(2) But each person speaks a different language--there is a lack
of real understanding and a lack of full companionship.
|
|
B. Each of these types in the struggle for existence uses their
most developed function to orient themselves to their
inner and outer worlds. The functions are as follows.
|
|
|
1. Thinking (mostly men): gives
meaning and understanding; actions are a result of an intellectually
considered motive; life is based on principles. {Thinking has an
underdeveloped valuation of feeling function.}
|
|
|
|
a. Extroverted |
|
|
|
|
(1) They use thought in making decisions; they are tied to facts,
and do not pursue abstract ideas. |
|
|
|
|
(2) They tend to suppress facts that do not fit into their
schemes. |
|
|
|
|
(3) E.g., an empirical scientist or a trivia buff.
|
|
|
|
b. Introverted: |
|
|
|
|
(1) They are not interested in facts per se but are
interested in abstract ideas. Facts are not collected for their own
value. |
|
|
|
|
(2) Introverted thinkers give little attention to their
relationship with the world. |
|
|
|
|
(3) E.g., mathematicians, philosophers.
|
|
|
2. Feeling (mostly women): a
rational function that weighs, values, and attaches a proper value to
things. Truth is seen as inter-subjectivity. (The "feeling"
is not the result of something it's more like practical wisdom, knowing
the appropriate thing to do under the circumstances — phronesis).
{The feeling type has an underdeveloped thinking function.}
|
|
|
|
a. Extroverted: |
|
|
|
|
(1) Personal relationships are important; the extraverted feeling
type is well adjusted to environment. |
|
|
|
|
(2) The tact or charm of this type makes social and family life
possible. |
|
|
|
|
(3) E.g., hostesses, diplomats, ministers.
|
|
|
|
b. Introverted |
|
|
|
|
(1) This type can appear to be too genuine; sometimes they are
unadaptable; but can become constant, reliable friends. |
|
|
|
|
(2) They may appear cold; but "still waters run deep;"
they have much sympathy and understanding for intimate friends |
|
|
|
|
(3) Other characteristics include being religious, musical, and
occasionally capable of fantastic self-sacrifice. |
|
|
|
|
(4) E.g., writer, physician, nurse, psychologist,
dramatist.
|
|
|
3. Sensation (mostly men):
emphasis on perception through the senses (The American way of life.)
{Sensation types usually have an underdeveloped intuition function.}
|
|
|
|
a. Extroverted: emphasis is placed on the object. |
|
|
|
|
(1) This type is sometimes said to be"lost" in the
world; they take everything as it comes and experience everything as
it is, no more, no less. |
|
|
|
|
(2) They tend to be calm, easy, jolly, not rational, or |
|
|
|
|
(3) they seek action, efficiency, power and prestige |
|
|
|
|
(4) E.g., politicians, leaders, military, pleasure
seekers.
|
|
|
|
b. Introverted: emphasis on the sensation. |
|
|
|
|
(1) They are sensitive and imaginative. |
|
|
|
|
(2) The introverted sensation types are sometimes difficult to
understand; because they are overwhelmed by impressions—they see
things that are not there, e.g., fiery dragons as faces in
automobile grills. |
|
|
|
|
(3) E.g., engineer, artists, musicians.
|
|
|
(4) Intuition: (intuition via
the unconscious) tells of future possibilities and gives information of
the atmosphere which surrounds experience. The definition of this
function: a perception of realities which are not known to
consciousness and which go on via the unconscious. {The
intuitive type usually has an undeveloped function of sensation.}
|
|
|
|
a. Extroverted |
|
|
|
|
(1) They dislike safe, familiar, or well-established things. |
|
|
|
|
(2) They often have the capacity to inspire in hopelessly blocked
situations. |
|
|
|
|
(3) They use judgment or diagnosis without an objective basis.
They are often effective in new situations where there is no
established way to deal with those situations. |
|
|
|
|
(4) When mistaken, the extroverted intuitive type can lead many
people to ruin. |
|
|
|
|
(5) E.g., traveler, temporary leader.
|
|
|
|
b. Introverted: |
|
|
|
|
(1) This type often sees visions and is creative. |
|
|
|
|
(2) They squander resources and tend to be creative, artistic, or
poetic. |
|
|
|
|
(3). E.g., mystics, poets. |
II. If we concur that
Jung's theory is useful, then a naturalistic theory can be developed
in accordance with nature of our personalities. A naturalistic
theory along these lines is also one of the development of our
peculiar capacities. |
|
|
|
|
|