What is Introverted Judging?
Introverted Thinking (Ti) and Introverted Feeling (Fi) are judging functions that are facing inward, focused on one’s personal, subjective world. Jung referred to introverted judgers as being introverted rational types. We derive our personal identity from our introverted judging function. Judging is going to cause us to form a viewpoint or an opinion on something and introversion turns it inward, or you could also say back on oneself. It is these internal judgements that we then begin to perceive as being our true self. It is the reason that we are so attached to our Fi or Ti conclusions. The higher in the stack, the more attached to them, we will be and the stronger our sense of identity becomes. The higher a function is, the more importance and focus we choose to place on that function and what it produces.
Because Ti is a thinking function, the identity is going to be tied to thinking, which means the user will essentially try to form a judgement (or identity) of themselves removed from feeling, based on their subjective thoughts. On the other hand, since Fi is a feeling function, the identity is going to be tied to feeling, which means the user will essentially try to form a judgement (or identity) of themselves based on their subjective feelings.
Introverted thinking is the dominant (first) function for the ISTP and INTP, the auxiliary (second) function for the ENTP and ESTP, the tertiary (third) function for the ISFJ and INFJ, and the inferior (fourth) function for the ESFJ and ENFJ. On the other hand, introverted feeling is the dominant (first) function for the ISFP and INFP, the auxiliary (second) function for the ENFP and ESFP, the tertiary (third) function for the ISTJ and INTJ, and the inferior (fourth) function for the ESTJ and ENTJ. Placement plays a significant role in how a cognitive function will manifest, which will not be discussed in the below descriptions, since the intended purpose is just to provide general overviews. To read descriptions of specific placements for Ti and Fi, check out The Cognitive Functions In Each Position: Ti and Fe and The Cognitive Functions In Each Position: Te and Fi.
Introverted Thinking (Ti)
As an introverted judging function based on thinking, Ti users use subjective logic detached from feeling to organize their thoughts and judgements, from which they form their sense of self and worldview. Because Ti logic is detached from how they feel about themselves, they tend toward defining themselves through a list of traits or what they think and do, rather than something more meaningful. Ti users will tie their identity to what makes sense to them, or how they make sense of things logically. Since Ti is not naturally focused on feelings or what gives the user personal meaning, Ti users often feel disconnected from themselves, in a sense, because they’re not introspecting in the intimate way a Fi user might. However, since Ti is an identity function, Ti users will still hold their thought system above all else, tying that specifically to their sense of self rather than other things like personal desires and preferences.
It’s worth stating outright that Ti logic is not logic itself. Every person possesses logic, in spite of the fact that Ti has been so heavily associated with that word to the extent of seemingly (and mistakenly) claiming ownership of it. However, a Ti user’s specific form of logic is what we call relative logic.
Ti users take all the data or information given to them via their perceiving functions (Ne/Si or Se/Ni) and compare it. This may be conscious or subconscious, and the data may be accurate or inaccurate. Regardless, from this comparison they search for inconsistencies, find what does or does not make sense, throw out what doesn’t fit, and build a database within their mind of completely consistent information. The more they learn, the larger and more elaborate the puzzle gets. Unfortunately, having every piece dependent on the next to this extent can lead to large scale collapse if one piece of trustworthy data is found to contradict a core component of their logical structure.
Read an in-depth analysis of Introverted Thinking here: Exploring Introverted Thinking (Ti).
Introverted Feeling (Fi)
As an introverted judging function based on feeling, Fi users use subjective feelings to organize their thoughts and judgements, from which they form their sense of self and worldview. They are not illogical, but rather their logic is highly valuing personal feelings for the sake of forming a meaningful identity. (Feeling functions focus on emotional data, which often makes feelers more focused on the human element.) Because Fi users want to establish a meaningful identity, not something based on an arbitrary list of traits and actions, it can be said that they establish an identity removed from thinking.
In the process of forming their identity, Fi users will define their values. Fi users then take every piece of information fed to them by their perceiving functions (Ne, Ni, Se or Si) and judge it against their value system. It is then accepted or discarded based on how it measures up. Anything contrary to their value system is contrary to their own feelings and thus must be rejected. Because of this internal focus, their self-worth becomes wrapped up in whether or not they are remaining true to themselves. Doing anything against their own value system will stir up negative internal emotions. However, Fi users do not always have a permanently fixed value system. If need be, their values and identity may be re-evaluated and adapted to their current mindset.
Due to a Fi user’s inward emotional focus, they tend to understand others through their connection with themselves. This can lead to them projecting their own emotions onto others. (IE: assuming if I feel this way about X, everyone else must feel this same way.) However, Fi users do have a great capacity for empathy, if they have personally experienced something that someone else is going through.
Read an in-depth analysis of Introverted Feeling here: Exploring Introverted Feeling (Fi).
