Copyright
© 2001-2003
C. J. Lofting
Content
Appendix B - Objects and Relationships
Through a careful analysis of the I Ching as well as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator ® I have been able to identify relational patterns that enable us to transcend the current MBTI categorisations. This allows us to easily develop formal complex categorisations and in doing so identify refinements in categorisation properties as well as methods.
This ability to extend MBTI categorisations has arisen from achieving an understanding of the neurocognitive and affective (emotional) processes involved in the general determination of meaning at the species level and then identifying the common elements of these processes encoded in the I Ching and MBTI, categorisation systems that use the same methodology.
Since all meaning is determined by the method used to derive it, so what is here implied is that any categorisation system will share meanings with any other like-derived categorisation system; the words may be different but the feelings of the meanings are not. (See Appendix B for more on this).
In the particular categorisation systems here discussed, the common methods are sourced in the species’ use of recursive dichotomisations (where a dichotomy, a 50/50 split as in yes/no, hot/cold etc is applied to itself and so on) and its equivalent in the form of orthogonalisation (we take a dimension and apply it orthogonally to itself e.g. Cartesian coordinate system of X axis and Y axis) when making maps of reality.
In an analysis of the MBTI and the I Ching I was able to identify a common pattern, a pattern stemming from a cognitive/affective perspective rather than a logical perspective where the latter is initially ignored since it allows for distortions in categorisations within a system and so problems in association across systems. In other words every discipline can have its own logic structure due to the trial and error involved in creating the discipline, BUT every discipline will reflect the SAME general cognitive/affective meanings since these reflect cognitive/affective properties of the species and it is these properties that allow associations across systems; it is these properties that form the foundations for analogy-making.
What this means is that there are an infinite number of words we can use to represent a sense of ‘wholeness’ but there is only one general feeling of wholeness that we all share as a species and by identifying a general set of these invariant feelings we can identify patterns across disciplines, showing a common influence and so allowing for one discipline to aid in differentiating another discipline, here in particular the I Ching and the MBTI.
By being able to associate basic MBTI states with basic I Ching states we can then recruit the I Ching symbolisms and in doing so extend the MBTI into over 4096 possible expressions of both a single persona as well as relational consequences of combining personas. This extension can go further into over 16 million possible types although this is not necessary.
The possible associations of MBTI types to I Ching trigrams have been identified as follows:
I Ching Trigram MBTI type Keirsey equivalent
[1] Heaven XSTP Operators
[2] Lake XSFP Players
[3] Fire XNTJ Organizers
[4] Thunder XNTP Engineers
[5] Wind XSTJ Monitors
[6] Water XSFJ Conservators
[7] Mountain XNFJ Mentors
[8] Earth XNFP Advocates
Each of the I Ching trigrams is expressed as a three-line symbol where each line is identified either as ‘yin’ or ‘yang’. (Also note that the X element in the above MBTI- types reflects the I/E distinction that is not differentiated at this level, nor needs to be since, as will be shown, it ‘pops out’ later in combinations)
Since the I Ching trigrams, although rich in associations, are still too ‘general’ in meaning at this level of categorisation we recruit them and apply them to themselves to create six line symbols made by placing one trigram atop another. This recruitment process gives us sixty-four hexagrams with which to categorise, and by association, allows us to take the related eight MBTI types and include them in the sixty-four hexagrams. What this gives us is text-context relationships where the general nature of the trigram/MBTI-type is particularised by associations with the other trigrams/MBTI-types as texts functioning within a context.
For example, lets lay-out all of the text-context relationships for the trigram of Heaven (we will use its above given number, [1]) and so, correspondingly, for the MBTI type of XSTP:
Context : Text MBTI association
[1] : [1] XSTP: XSTP
[1] : [2] XSTP: XSFP
[1] : [3] XSTP: XNTJ
[1] : [4] XSTP: XNTP
[1] : [5] XSTP: XSTJ
[1] : [6] XSTP: XSFJ
[1] : [7] XSTP: XNFJ
[1] : [8] XSTP: XNFP
In the I Ching the trigrams are placed text atop context (reflecting the 'upwards' movement) and as such would be expressed as:
[1] [2] [3] …
[1] [1] [1] …
Due to the above mentioned commonality in the I Ching and MBTI categorisation systems the general underlying feelings for meanings in either system are to an extensive degree shared such that the ‘singlemindedness’ of the hexagram called Heaven, the ‘pure yang’ nature, is reflected as one of a number of expressions in the general mindset of the XSTP/Operators types identified by the MBTI/Keirsey typologies.
The refinement process is where we now formally identify eight qualitative differences within the general concept of Heaven/XSTP. As can be seen above, the XSTP state is coloured by the texts where XSTP:XSTP reflects pure, refined, XSTP as compared to XSTP:XSFJ where the XSFJ text skews the expression of the XSTP in a highly noticeable way and yet we still retain an overall sense of XSTP-ness.
Due to the shared semantic elements in these categorisation systems I can use the concepts of the I Ching as analogies in identifying the subtle differences in expression of the basic MBTI types. For example, using the above associations we can associate an XSTP octet (set of eight) with a corresponding I Ching octet:
Context Text Hexagram Name MBTI (Keirsey) context:text associations
[1] [1] Singleminded XSTP: XSTP (Operator: Operator)
[1] [2] Seeding XSTP: XSFP (Operator: Player)
[1] [3] Directing XSTP: XNTJ (Operator: Organiser)
[1] [4] Empowering XSTP: XNTP (Operator: Engineer)
[1] [5] Small Gaining XSTP: XSTJ (Operator: Monitor)
[1] [6] Wait/Serve XSTP: XSFJ (Operator: Conservator/Protector)
[1] [7] Hold Firm XSTP: XNFJ (Operator: Mentor)
[1] [8] Harmonising XSTP: XNFP (Operator: Advocate)
What is identified here in the “Hexagram Name” column is the general expression of the I Ching symbol and so by association the general expression of the MBTI context-text associations. E.g. the XSTP: XNFP context:text association manifests the 'Operator' type relating with the 'Advocate' type of XNFP and this relationship being associated with the I Ching hexagram expressed as a concern with ‘Harmonising’. This I Ching name happens to reflect one of the general characteristics associated with the XSTP-type, namely that of negotiators, trouble-shooters etc., individuals concerned with maintaining/restoring balance. These associations are all possible, and meaningful, due to both categorisation systems, the I Ching and the MBTI, using the same method for deriving meaning, and so ALL of the above I Ching hexagram names identify properties and methods contained within the general MBTI categorisation of the XSTP persona.
What the above list shows is (a) The possible variations of the XSTP type. (b) The set of archetypes built-in to the general type such that an individual of type XSTP will ‘live’ through some or all of these variations rather than just be one of them. (c) The relational mappings where we take an XSTP perspective of relationships with other types. In other words the above associations manifest a text element sourced within the XSTP individual or else sourced in the form of another individual. In this latter case, the relationship identified above as concerning ‘harmonising’ also reflects the relationship dynamics of an XSTP perspective relating with an XNFP individual; in other words rather than having a concern with harmonising the relationship is harmonising from the XSTP perspective; the latter is more being, the former more doing.
In addition to just recruiting the I Ching symbolisms and general meanings we can also recruit basic algorithms within the I Ching itself to show us patterns within the MBTI. In particular are the qualitative expressions within each MBTI type.
The qualitative expressions are where, as done above, we recruit a set of symbols to refine our expressions. For example in the I Ching we recruited the trigrams to form hexagrams. We can repeat this process where we use the sixty-four hexagrams as sources of analogy to use in describing the qualitative differences for any ONE hexagram, thus the hexagram of pure yang, called ‘heaven’ or ‘singleminded’ when interpreted ‘as is’ reflects a general nature of ‘pure yang’. By recruiting all of the other hexagrams we can ‘refine’ the generality of, the sameness of, ‘pure yang’ into the form of a ‘string’ of all of the sixty-four hexagrams ordered by qualitative analogy to identify all of the expressions of the qualitative differences within ‘pure yang’.
This string of hexagrams is ordered from ‘refined’ to ‘raw’ where the last hexagram in the list serves as the source of analogy to the qualitative expression of the bottom line position of the hexagram that identifies the ‘mud’ or ‘clay’ out of which the ‘refined’ top line position of the hexagram has developed.
For example, in the I Ching, for the hexagram of ‘pure yang’ or ‘singleminded’ the associated string has in the last position, the position of the ‘mud’ from which pure yang emerged, the hexagram expressing the concept of ‘excess’, in other words ‘too much yang’.
In the context of the MBTI we have the SAME type of list and as such we can identify qualitative differences in the general MBTI categorisations.
Thus, in the associated I Ching categorisation for ‘pure yang’ we associated the XSTP: XSTP type, Keirsey’s “Operators”, and from the I Ching 'string' associations we can identify the complex persona type of XSTJ: XSFP , a Player in a Monitor context, as describing by analogy the ‘mud’ from which the pure XSTP emerged.
Since the associated hexagram, ‘excess’, includes within it the refined elements of ‘transcendence’ and of ‘going beyond what is required’ etc., so the complex persona type of XSTJ: XSFP includes these properties when it is considered in its refined form rather than raw form.
In the following tables I have layed-out the sixty-four possible expressions of the MBTI/I CHING in the form of octets relating a specific MBTI-type to its eight variations and the accompanying hexagrams of the I Ching. I have then added the ‘mud’ relationship described above, I leave it to the user as an exercise to derive the other members of the hexagram strings.
For all of the following diagrams note that:
(1) In the Text column, the number in brackets and to the right is the traditional hexagram number in the I Ching representing the two trigrams, one atop the other; click on this number to get more details regarding the hexagram. The number in braces and to the right is the trigram number as given in earlier text. The link to details on the context trigram is part of the heading of the table (right hand side). This link also contains references to the particular MBTI-type serving as context for the octet.
(2) The Context-Text columns reflect the trigrams forming the hexagram whose name is also given. The Hexagrams Roots are NOT made-up of the same trigrams but reflect the best descriptions of the ‘mud’ or ‘root’ out of which the entries in the “Hexagram Name” column have developed.
(3) For interpretations, the meanings of the names in the "Hexagram Root" column should be watered-down to reflect the ‘general’ or ‘raw’ nuances. The number in brackets in this column is the traditional hexagram number and is linked to the hexagram.
|
Context |
Text |
Hexagram Name |
MBTI (Keirsey) associations |
Hexagram Root/Goal |
MBTI Root |
|
[1] |
Singleminded |
XSTP: XSTP (Operator: Operator) |
Excess/Transcend (28) |
XSTJ:XSFP |
|
|
[1] |
Seeding, Spread the Word |
XSTP: XSFP (Operator: Player) |
Seducing/Persuading(44) |
XSTJ:XSTP |
|
|
[1] |
Directing; Prosper |
XSTP: XNTJ (Operator: Organiser) |
Commitment(32) |
XSTJ:XNTP |
|
|
[1] |
Empowering |
XSTP: XNTP (Operator: Engineer) |
Transform, Cook, 'set a fire under' (50) |
XSTJ:XNTJ |
|
|
[1] |
Small Gaining |
XSTP: XSTJ (Operator: Monitor) |
Foundation Setting(48) |
XSTJ:XSFJ |
|
|
[1] |
Wait/Serve |
XSTP: XSFJ (Operator: Conservator/Protector) |
Cultivating/Influencing(57) |
XSTJ:XSTJ |
|
|
[1] |
Hold Firm |
XSTP: XNFJ (Operator: Mentor) |
Entanglement/Involved(46) |
XSTJ:XNFP |
|
|
[1] |
Harmonising |
XSTP: XNFP (Operator: Advocate) |
Correcting Corruption(18) |
XSTJ:XNFJ |
|
Context |
Text |
Hexagram Name |
MBTI (Keirsey) associations |
Hexagram Root/Goal |
MBTI Root |
|
[2] |
Treading (a path) |
XSFP: XSTP (Player: Operator) |
Enclosing (forced)(47) |
XSFJ:XSFP |
|
|
[2] |
(Self)Reflection, intensity |
XSFP: XSFP (Player: Player) |
Compromising(06) |
XSFJ:XSTP |
|
|
[2] |
Opposing/Mirroring |
XSFP: XNTJ (Player: Organiser) |
Relaxed Structure (tension release)(40) |
XSFJ:XNTP |
|
|
[2] |
Immaturing(initial outburst) |
XSFP: XNTP (Player: Engineer) |
Incomplete (remain open)(64) |
XSFJ:XNTJ |
|
|
[2] |
Yielding/Soft Core |
XSFP: XSTJ (Player: Monitor) |
Contain/Control(29) |
XSFJ:XSFJ |
|
|
[2] |
Standardising |
XSFP: XSFJ (Player: Conservator/Protector) |
Dispel Illusions, make clear(59) |
XSFJ:XSTJ |
|
|
[2] |
Concentrate |
XSFP: XNFJ (Player: Mentor) |
Uniformity/Army(07) |
XSFJ:XNFP |
|
|
[2] |
Approaching/Defer |
XSFP: XNFP (Player: Advocate) |
Masking/Youthful folly(04) |
XSFJ:XNFJ |
|
Context |
Text |
Hexagram Name |
MBTI (Keirsey) associations |
Hexagram Root/Goal |
MBTI Root |
|
[3] |
Associating |
XNTJ: XSTP (Organiser: Operator) |
Wooing, Intense stimulation (31) |
XNFJ:XSFP |
|
|
[3] |
Unmask/Revelation |
XNTJ: XSFP (Organiser: Player) |
Trick, Structured Retreat (33) |
XNFJ:XSTP |
|
|
[3] |
Direction Setting (Ideology) |
XNTJ: XNTJ (Organiser: Organiser) |
Portray,Exaggerate Tradition (62) |
XNFJ:XNTP |
|
|
[3] |
Abundance/Diversity (in the presence of) |
XNTJ: XNTP (Organiser: Engineer) |
Loyalty (from afar) (56) |
XNFJ:XNTJ |
|
|
[3] |
Rigid Structure, Clan, Family (tension release) |
XNTJ: XSTJ (Organiser: Monitor) |
Bypass Obstacles (39) |
XNFJ:XSFJ |
|
|
[3] |
Completion, Closure |
XNTJ: XSFJ (Organiser: Conservator/Protector) |
Maturing (53) |
XNFJ:XSTJ |
|
|
[3] |
Façade, Gloss Over |
XNTJ: XNFJ (Organiser: Mentor) |
Level-out, modesty (15) |
XNFJ:XNFP |
|
|
[3] |
Uncompromising |
XNTJ: XNFP (Organiser: Advocate) |
Block, Restrained, Discerning (52) |
XNFJ:XNFJ |
|
Context |
Text |
Hexagram Name |
MBTI (Keirsey) associations |
Hexagram Root/Goal |
MBTI Root |
|
[4] |
Disentangle, standup to express self |
XNTP:XSTP (Engineer: Operator) |
Congregate to celebrate, Gathering (45) |
XNFP:XSFP |
|
|
[4] |
Believe/Follow |
XNTP: XSFP (Engineer: Player) |
Neutralise others, to Affirm faith(12) |
XNFP:XSTP |
|
|
[4] |
Chew Over, Problem Solve by Laws |
XNTP: XNTJ (Engineer: Organiser) |
Foresight, Positive planning, enthusiasm(16) |
XNFP:XNTP |
|
|
[4] |
Enlighten, New, Awareness |
XNTP: XNTP (Engineer: Engineer) |
Progress(35) |
XNFP:XNTJ |
|
|
[4] |
Augment |
XNTP: XSTJ (Engineer: Monitor) |
Unify(08) |
XNFP:XSFJ |
|
|
[4] |
Sprout, Difficult Beginnings |
XNTP: XSFJ (Engineer: Conservator/Protector) |
Admire, Stand out to set example(20) |
XNFP:XSTJ |
|
|
[4] |
Hungering |
XNTP: XNFJ (Engineer: Mentor) |
Devotion, total trust in others(02) |
XNFP:XNFP |
|
|
[4] |
Returning (to the true path) |
XNTP: XNFP (Engineer: Advocate) |
Prune, cut back to ‘true’ core(23) |
XNFP:XNFJ |
|
Context |
Text |
Hexagram Name |
MBTI (Keirsey) associations |
Hexagram Root/Goal |
MBTI Root |
|
[5] |
Persuade/Seduce |
XSTJ:XSTP (Monitor: Operator) |
Seed, Spread the Word (43) |
XSTP:XSFP |
|
|
[5] |
Excess, Transcend |
XSTJ: XSFP (Monitor: Player) |
Singlemindedness, Total trust in self(01) |
XSTP:XSTP |
|
|
[5] |
Transform |
XSTJ: XNTJ (Monitor: Organiser) |
Motivate, invigorate(34) |
XSTP:XNTP |
|
|
[5] |
Commit |
XSTJ: XNTP (Monitor: Engineer) |
Direct, prosper(14) |
XSTP:XNTJ |
|
|
[5] |
Cultivate, Become Influencial |
XSTJ: XSTJ (Monitor: Monitor) |
Wait/Serve ones dues(05) |
XSTP:XSFJ |
|
|
[5] |
Set Foundations, a Source |
XSTJ: XSFJ (Monitor: Conservator/Protector) |
Build on small gains (upon which to stand)(09) |
XSTP:XSTJ |
|
|
[5] |
Correct Corruption |
XSTJ: XNFJ (Monitor: Mentor) |
Harmonising, Balancing(11) |
XSTP:XNFP |
|
|
[5] |
Become Involved - Entangled |
XSTJ: XNFP (Monitor: Advocate) |
Hold Firm(26) |
XSTP:XNFJ |
|
Context |
Text |
Hexagram Name |
MBTI (Keirsey) associations |
Hexagram Root/Goal |
MBTI Root |
|
[6] |
Compromise |
XSFJ:XSTP (Conservator: Operator) |
(Self)Reflection, Intensity (58) |
XSFP:XSFP |
|
|
[6] |
Enclosure (forced) |
XSFJ: XSFP Conservator: Player) |
Conduct (tread a path)(10) |
XSFP:XSTP |
|
|
[6] |
Incomplete, remain open |
XSFJ: XNTJ (Conservator: Organiser) |
Immature, initial outburst (54) |
XSFP:XNTP |
|
|
[6] |
Relaxed Structuring (tension release) |
XSFJ: XNTP (Conservator: Engineer) |
Oppose, Mirror (38) |
XSFP:XNTJ |
|
|
[6] |
Dispel Illusions, Make clear |
XSFJ: XSTJ (Conservator: Monitor) |
Standardisations (60) |
XSFP:XSFJ |
|
|
[6] |
Containment/Control |
XSFJ: XSFJ (Conservator: Conservator) |
Yeilding, Softening, (61) (hard exterior) |
XSFP:XSTJ |
|
|
[6] |
Masking, Youthful Folly |
XSFJ: XNFJ (Conservator: Mentor) |
Approach/Defer (19) |
XSFP:XNFP |
|
|
[6] |
Uniformity, Army |
XSFJ: XNFP (Conservator: Advocate) |
Concentrate, Distil(41) |
XSFP:XNFJ |
|
Context |
Text |
Hexagram Name |
MBTI (Keirsey) associations |
Hexagram Root/Goal |
MBTI Root |
|
[7] |
Trick, Structured Retreat |
XNFJ:XSTP (Mentor: Operator) |
Revelation, Unmask (49) |
XNTJ:XSFP |
|
|
[7] |
Woo, intense stimulation |
XNFJ: XSFP (Mentor: Player) |
Likemindedness, associates (13) |
XNTJ:XSTP |
|
|
[7] |
Maintain Loyalty (from afar) |
XNFJ: XNTJ (Mentor: Organiser) |
Abundance, Diversity (in the presence of)(55) |
XNTJ:XNTP |
|
|
[7] |
Portray, Exagerate traditions |
XNFJ: XNTP (Mentor: Engineer) |
Ideology, guidance(30) |
XNTJ:XNTJ |
|
|
[7] |
Maturing |
XNFJ: XSTJ (Mentor: Monitor) |
Completion, closure(63) |
XNTJ:XSFJ |
|
|
[7] |
Obstacles, Bypass them |
XNFJ: XSFJ (Mentor: Conservator) |
Rigid Structure, family, clan (tension release) (37) |
XNTJ:XSTJ |
|
|
[7] |
(self)Restraint, Discernment, block |
XNFJ: XNFJ (Mentor: Mentor) |
Uncompromising (36) |
XNTJ:XNFP |
|
|
[7] |
Level-out, even-out, Modesty |
XNFJ: XNFP (Mentor: Advocate) |
Façade, Gloss-over(22) |
XNTJ:XNFJ |