Theories of Everything

[wombat1138]

Some years ago, I ran into a Geocities-based page that attempted to intercorrelate several different sorts of personality typology; when I went looking for it again just now, I found that the latest version now has its own domain with even more material tucked around the edges.

While I have no particular Definite Faith in any of those systems, I do find this sort of thing endlessly fascinating, rather like this magnificent example that tries to do something similar with different sets of metaphysical elements and culminates toward the bottom of the page by charting all of them onto a seven-part cube (six faces plus the contained space within it).

In any case, the former page has enough bibliographic pointers that I promptly nipped elseweb to find a used copy of an interesting-sounding book on tailoring cognitive therapy to various personality disorders. The second edition came out a few years ago, suggesting that the first edition was useful/influential enough to make an update worthwhile. Amazon had much better pricing than eBay, semi-surprisingly; the best price on eBay was considerably offset by the seller padding the shipping/handling fee to over $20. For one book. Sheesh.

Comments

[qadgop.livejournal.com]

Wait... theological psychology?

[wombat1138.livejournal.com]

The "Enneagram" typology is commonly said to've been developed by the Jesuits, based on the Seven Deadly Sins plus another Two... Hurty Sins? although that's mainly puffery. (The PTypes guy links the US Catholic bishops' evaluation of the Enneagram, which includes a detailed history of its origins that's consistent with what I've read elsewhere.)

I suppose one could argue that both theology and psychology attempt to address various flaws of character, identify suboptimal behavior, and integrate various misfits into society. Eh. I think of exercises like this as resembling a jigsaw puzzle whose pieces don't nec'ly all fit together, but it's kinda fun to see if you can make them fit without scissoring off too many edges.

[qadgop.livejournal.com]

Hrm. Okay: psychology/theology as literary theory, with the personality as text. With, I can't help suspecting, the same potential for pounding non-Euclidean pegs into square holes, but certainly interestng as an exercise, at least. And I guess if Northrop Frye can present all lit as essentially religious, these folks can do the same with personality types.

Will be heading off to the folks for an early-Father's-Day stayover. Which should be interesting.

[wombat1138.livejournal.com]

Ook. Enjoy?