Sherlock (novel): Sherlock Holmes (ISTP)

This has been a long time coming, but here is our analysis of the original, novel version of Sherlock Holmes as an ISTP. We’ve typed other versions of Sherlock differently, and we intend to put out a comparison article soon. If you wish to check out those individual analyses, check out Sherlock (RDJ): Sherlock Holmes (ENTP) and Sherlock (BBC): Sherlock Holmes (ENTJ).

Ti:

“What can it mean? Surely my whole chain of reasoning cannot have been false. It is impossible!”

“You see the whole thing is a chain of logical sequences without a break or flaw.”

“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.”

“Some facts should be suppressed, or at least a just sense of proportion should be observed in treating them. The only point in the case which deserved mention was the curious analytical reasoning from effects to causes by which I succeeded in unraveling it.”

“I follow my own methods, and tell us much or as little as I choose. That is the advantage of being unofficial.”

The original depiction of Sherlock Holmes appears to be a Ti dominant. People often describe him as a quiet thinker and a logician. While solving cases is his profession, Sherlock focuses heavily on reasoning and logic, rather than the outcome of the case itself. He may solve a case, yet still feel dissatisfied if he failed to form a perfect chain of reasoning that led to that outcome. This points to a Ti focus on the process, rather than a Te focus on resolution. He’s always extremely proud of his perfect “chain of logical sequences”, and seems deeply concerned whenever he runs across an apparent contradiction.

Sherlock devalues facts, in favor of his subjective logic. He’s quick to question “obvious facts”, viewing them as potentially deceptive. He only accepts something as a fact if he can rationalize it. Similarly, when he first looks over Watson’s written account of their first case together, Sherlock informs him that he should have suppressed the facts, and focused completely on the analytical reasoning.

Sherlock cares little for high profile cases, which would have objective, external value, but rather cases that prove to be a mental challenge or a puzzle, since he so desperately craves mental stimulation. He often consults on cases with no expectation to get credit or fame of any kind. The work itself for him is reward enough.

Sherlock works independently, except for Watson, of course. He enjoys being unofficial (IE: separate from law enforcement), because he’s able to do whatever he wants. At times, this is even in direct opposite to law enforcement. For instance, he often withholds information from law enforcement, and is occasionally shown letting criminals go, if he determines that no real harm has been done.

Se:

“I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak.”

“I never remember feeling tired by work, though idleness exhausts me completely.”

“There is nothing like first hand evidence, as a matter of fact, my mind is entirely made up on the case, but still we may as well learn all that is to be learned.”

Any personality type could potentially train themselves to be observant, so that is not a proof we’re going to use to prove that he’s a Se user. Instead, we’ll start with his approach to his investigations.

Sherlock likes to gather as much evidence possible, always asking his client to share every detail they can think of. Once he’s gathered all the information available at hand, he’ll form a plausible theory that accounts for everything, and use that to determine his next course of action. However, he’s not one to share his theories, except on the occasion that Watson pushes him to. Even then, if he feels he lacks sufficient concrete evidence to support his theory, he’ll often refuse to share it all, instead preferring to move forward with the theory, and prove it (or disprove it) via concrete means. This suggests that he values sensory information.

For example, in one of their cases, Sherlock discovers a suggestive fact, and then proposes a theory to Watson. Watson starts flooding him with questions, because a lot of details were unaccounted for or lacking from the theory. Sherlock flippantly waves off all of Watson’s questions, with “There are difficulties; there are certainly difficulties”. He shows absolutely no desire to speculate with Watson, which indicates Se rather than Ne.

Occasionally, he thinks up multiple possibilities, but that typically occurs when he’s stuck in limbo, unable to gather new information and waiting for something very specific to happen. Since he can’t help but obsess over his cases, a situation like this might provoke him to think up alternate theories to account for the facts. However, once again, he rarely shares these with anyone, preferring to wait for events to unfold.

Sherlock takes an active approach to his cases. Unless a case is obvious, he prefers to go to the scene of the crime, observe everything first hand, and physically interact with the scene. Sometimes doing so will lead to a quick resolution. Other times, it might require more effort, which he doesn’t mind since idleness is the bane of his existence. (One that he copes with via drugs in order to escape “the dull routine of existence”.) He often goes on stakeouts or undercover. He’ll talk to locals, employ some elaborate act, or observe a critical scene for as long as it takes. (The extent to which he does this, and the extent to which he feels the need to be prepared, points to him being an introverted lead.)

Ni:

“See the value of imagination. It is the one quality which Gregory lacks. We imagined what might have happened, acted upon the supposition, and find ourselves justified.”

“Now that I do know it I shall do my best to forget it… It is of the highest importance…not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.”

Sherlock does not indiscriminately collect information like many Ne/Si users do. Rather, he consciously forgets information he deems irrelevant to his profession. He’s a specialist, preferring to concentrate all of his brain power on his work. He only wants to intake information that seems immediately relevant or useful. Watson seems shocked by this, especially after he learns that Sherlock knows next to nothing on subjects such as contemporary literature, philosophy, politics, and astronomy.

Sherlock does rely heavily on his Ni to form theories. He sees the value in “imagination”, and relies on it when there is no longer a trail of concrete information to follow. This happens in one of their cases when they’re looking for a missing horse. He and Watson have to speculate about what might have happened, in order to determine their next steps. Naturally, they discover new, crucial evidence that eventually leads to the resolution of the case.

Sherlock makes a lot of seemingly intuitive leaps, which are singular in nature. In other words, he draws very specific conclusions about people or events, which often catches people off guard. He always asserts these conclusions in a confident, matter-of-fact manner. However, when prompted, people always discover that his conclusions were based on conscious, concrete data, rather than actually being subconscious, intuitive leaps. This suggests lower Ni.

Fe:

“It is of the first importance not to allow your judgment to be biased by personal qualities. A client is to me a mere unit, —a factor in a problem. The emotional qualities are antagonistic to clear reasoning…”

“Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still more so.”

“You must not fear. We shall soon set matters right, I have no doubt…”

Sherlock devalues emotions, viewing them as detrimental to his work. To this end, he proclaims that he will never get married, and also expresses a distaste for the romanticism that Watson slips into his writing. When thinking through cases, Sherlock speaks in a very matter-of-fact manner, without regard for how callous he might sound. However, he typically does this with Watson alone, rather than with clients. At one point, Watson refers to Sherlock as being “inhuman”, to which Sherlock simply explains that clients are mere units or factors to him in the problem at hand. He completely detaches from them on an emotional level in order to keep his judgment unbiased.

However, in spite of all that, Sherlock does possess good social skills, which he utilizes often in his investigations, while gathering information. He’ll ensure his tone and mannerisms are friendly enough to get the responses that he’s looking for. In addition, Sherlock generally strives to be polite and accommodating when dealing with clients. He adheres to basic social rules such as offer someone a drink, or trying to console an individual who is quaking in fear. In his personal life, though, Sherlock is extremely reclusive and private. Watson describes him as loathing every form of society.

Lastly, Sherlock is a critical person, and doesn’t struggle to share his criticisms, especially in regard to law enforcement. However, he’ll also compliment people whom he genuinely appreciates, such as Watson or Inspector Gregory. (This is never at the expense of the truth, though.)