Each cognitive function makes implicit assumptions about reality, perception, and decision-making. This analysis of these assumptions helps clarify how each function structures thought and behavior.
Introverted Intuition (Ni)
Core Assumption: Reality consists of interconnected patterns that, once deciphered, reveal inevitable outcomes.
- The future can be foreseen through deep reflection and pattern recognition.
- Surface reality is misleading—one must look beyond immediate facts.
- Everything is connected, even if the connections aren’t obvious.
- Insights emerge spontaneously, not through conscious step-by-step logic.
- Truth is singular—one interpretation is ultimately correct, even if it takes time to clarify.
Extraverted Intuition (Ne)
Core Assumption: Reality is a web of endless possibilities, with no single absolute outcome.
- Everything can be reinterpreted in novel ways.
- Certainty is limiting—the world is best navigated through open-ended exploration.
- Connections exist between unrelated ideas, often in surprising ways.
- Patterns are fluid, constantly shifting based on new information.
- Change is inevitable, and adaptability is more important than static conclusions.
Introverted Thinking (Ti)
Core Assumption: Truth is an internally consistent, logical structure, independent of external validation.
- Concepts must be logically sound, regardless of consensus.
- External sources are often unreliable—truth is found through personal analysis.
- Precision is crucial—a single flawed premise can undermine an entire system.
- Categorization is necessary to refine understanding.
- Subjectivity distorts reality, so emotions and biases must be filtered out.
Extraverted Thinking (Te)
Core Assumption: Reality follows objective, measurable rules that allow for efficient organization and action.
- Results matter more than theory—a solution is valid if it works.
- Efficiency is the key to success—reducing waste and increasing output leads to better outcomes.
- Hierarchy and structure are necessary to coordinate large-scale efforts.
- Time and resources are limited, so decisions must be made quickly.
- Emotions are secondary to external effectiveness.
Introverted Feeling (Fi)
Core Assumption: Authenticity is the foundation of meaning, and each individual has an internal moral compass.
- Personal values are absolute, even if they contradict external norms.
- External validation is irrelevant—what matters is internal alignment.
- Emotional depth is essential to understanding oneself and others.
- People are unique and should be treated as individuals, not as part of a system.
- Conformity compromises integrity, so societal expectations must be questioned.
Extraverted Feeling (Fe)
Core Assumption: Human connection and social harmony are the foundation of a functional society.
- Emotions are shared experiences, not just personal states.
- Social norms exist for a reason—they help maintain harmony.
- People’s needs should be prioritized over rigid systems.
- Empathy is the best tool for understanding and influencing others.
- Sacrificing individual desires for the group is sometimes necessary.
Introverted Sensing (Si)
Core Assumption: The past provides a reliable framework for understanding the present and future.
- Stability is preferable to constant change.
- Personal experience is the best teacher—memory holds essential lessons.
- Tradition has value because it has stood the test of time.
- Familiarity is safe, while the unknown is inherently risky.
- Small details matter, as they preserve accuracy and reliability.
Extraverted Sensing (Se)
Core Assumption: Reality is what is directly experienced in the present moment.
- The present moment is all that matters—speculation is unnecessary.
- Reacting quickly is essential, as opportunities are fleeting.
- Physical engagement is the best way to learn—experience trumps theory.
- External reality is objective, and what you see is what you get.
- Sensory stimulation is invigorating, and intensity brings excitement.
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