everyone knows that everyone has a different perspective on things. some may be more similar than others, but no one sees things exactly the same as anyone else.
everyone know that no one is entirely right. some may be correct about more things than others, but no one has everything right.
so with these two simple facts, why can't people more readily agree to peacefully hold different opinions?
perception and judgement...
the purpose of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is: "to make the theory of psychological types described by C G Jung understandable and useful in people’s lives. The essence of the theory is that much seemingly random variation in the behavior is actually quite orderly and consistent, being due to basic differences in the ways individuals prefer to use their perception and judgment."
perception and judgement. the MBTI breaks each of these down into two dichotomies...
in the area of perception, the question is: "do you prefer to focus on the basic information you take in or do you prefer to interpret and add meaning?"
in the area of decision-making (judgement), the question is: "when making decisions, do you prefer to first look at logic and consistency or first look at the people and special circumstances?"
[italics added]
neither question has a right or wrong answer but, alongside the other areas the MBTI deals with, measuring the preferences people have helps to articulate the difference in perspective, and the difference in action that is derived from these different perspectives.
when we look at the world; when we listen to other people's views on the world; when we make decisions; when we pronounce judgement on other people's actions…
we are foolish if we think that our opinions are necessarily the best.
conversely, if we bear in mind the glorious differences we share, and strain to extend ourselves to embrace ever-broader views, we can only grow in wisdom.
whilst we must not do away with social justice, and cannot abdicate responsibility in the name of tolerance for atrocities carried out against fellow humans, we can seek a deeper unity simply by recognising our own limited perspective and reaching out to be changed rather than to change.
for more on how understanding your MBTI type can help in the everyday, see:
http://www.myersbriggs.org/type-use-for-everyday-life/
quotes pasted from:
http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/
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