Do insights come slowly to INFJs?

purplecrayons said:
I agree with much of what has been presented here, except that INFJs, from what I've experienced & read, do not have the ability to be objective. I have to go against my private, independent nature, and bounce things off of types I know have objectivity as a strength, because I realize that my instincts are not always correct, and I base everything on how it "feels" to me.
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Ti is an INFJ's third function.

From what I've read, it is not objective. I don't have enough knowledge on the function to say why, except that from my own understanding, all introverted functions are subjective and all extroverted functions are objective. So, in that way, you're right.

But if that's true, then...

Ni- subjective
Fe- objective
Ti- subjective
Se- objective

However, assuming that I am an INFJ, I do try to do what I think of as objective.

The way that I try is to think of things in my head and consider how I feel about something to be irrelevant.

I do not think that feelers are incapable of that simply because they are feelers. That's like saying that thinkers are incapable of having feelings.
 
I hope you are right. I try to exercise objectivity, and hopefully I can strengthen this. My empathy, or apathy clouds all logic.
 
there are so many times that I run into situation s that make sense from a thinking perspective.
however, they do not feel right.
so I discard the thought of it and follow my feelings. . cause at the end of the day I have to live in my head and heart. not in the collective, conventional wisdom of things.
 
But thinkers tell me there is a universal right. I say "Who decides what is right??" They say "Objectivity." I cannot argue that.
 
. . the universal right. .
I've heard the argument, but I dont buy it. . it's very loosely defined. . what is right what is wrong. . it all depends on circumstances. .
I believe that feelings are a valid a decison making tool as thoughts are.
 
dgraf said:
there are so many times that I run into situation s that make sense from a thinking perspective.
however, they do not feel right.
so I discard the thought of it and follow my feelings. . cause at the end of the day I have to live in my head AND heart. not in the collective, conventional wisdom of things.
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I like what you said here. :nod:

It reminded me of something I read one time about the head and heart working together instead of never trusting the heart.

I have had trouble in the past with simply following the heart though.

I am not opposed to anything. I'm all for balance.
 
I just think it's dangerous to think that way. If there aren't a clearly established set of guidelines, it's easy for the person making the decision to assume the role of God, and we are inherently selfish. If I base all my decisions on my feelings at the time, I'm going to make very poor decisions that are hurting myself & others.

I mean, I follow Christianity & Taoism, but who's to say those are right for everyone. Biased & not my call to make. Objectivity is a good rule of thumb. It seems to hurt the least amount of people. Even if I just keep something as simple as the golden rule in mind, it helps me to push aside spiteful decisions made out of anger & resentment.

Sorry for getting off topic. :(
 
dgraf said:
. . the universal right. .
I've heard the argument, but I dont buy it. . it's very loosely defined. . what is right what is wrong. . it all depends on circumstances. .
I believe that feelings are a valid a decison making tool as thoughts are.
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Thinkers don't think in terms of what is right or wrong. They think in terms of what is correct or incorrect.

Objective turns everything into objects. It sees object-object

Subjective sees object-subject.

So let's say a friend of yours is fired from her job. She is upset. You comfort her.

The thinker would want to know why she was fired. And there would be little to no sympathy or empathy if it was all her fault.
 
I dont claim that following the heart or the feelings is alwaya the best path. . it has gotten me into trouble more thn once, but it's what I do and I've learned that about myelf. . there are times I wish I could be more "thinkerish". . sigh. .
 
dgraf said:
I dont claim that following the heart or the feelings is alwaya the best path. . it has gotten me into trouble more thn once, but it's what I do and I've learned that about myelf. . there are times I wish I could be more "thinkerish". . sigh. .
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I still say it's possible.

I've read that Ti typcially develops for INFJs in their 20s.

It is supposedly not objective, but it thinks it's being objective. (Yeah, that confuses me a little bit, but it's what I've read. lol)
 
Comforting someone isn't making a life-changing decision, and thinkers are some of the best comforters I know, plus they pull me right out of self-pity mode & help me see the big picture. we're good for them & they're good for us. Balance is key.
 
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