Personality Type and Libertinism

I’ve been fascinated by the Myers-Briggs personality type indicator for many years, and I’ve done a good bit of reading about it. Not surprisingly, I’ve taken a particular interest in how type relates to sexual attitudes and practices. From all what I’ve read, it’s generally agreed that the SP cluster, ESFP in particular, is the type most likely to be non monogamous, but from what I’ve gathered, it’s usually the more common unthinking type of non monogamy, and not the intentionally entered into libertinism by philosophy.

But all that is beyond the scope of this particular blog entry. Because I am an INTP (see earlier blog entries for just what that means!), I will focus on the INTP view of sexuality.

Following are excerpts taken from several INTP profiles I found online that I think are pertinent to libertinism in the INTP:

INTPs put great weight on being individuals and essentially different from other people, who they often view as being too alike and too interdependent.

If an INTP is pushed into doing something he will automatically resist. He must be given the chance to reach an independent decision, approving or rejecting the action.

The INTP takes his interests and beliefs very seriously. Honesty and directness when explaining these interests are usually displayed. INTPs detest facades and particularly dislike people who exhibit them.

In dreaming about what he would like to become or achieve, his goals are invariably highly individualistic.

General role models for INTPs are individualistic, creative and perhaps enigmatic people. Innovative free-thinkers who follow their own new paths are usually greatly respected.

The outward behaviour of an INTP can contrast strongly with his introspective world.

Sexuality fascinates INTPs in a similar way to music…Sexual feelings often clash with the INTPs desire to control and understand his universe.

INTP's natural approach to sexuality will have true-to-type elements. He will be keen to understand and categorise his sexual responses.

The "staying in love" phase is where INTPs start to evaluate the relationship's structure and form.

INTPs may ignore social conventions, not feeling bound by the "illogical" rules of society. To an observer, INTPs can seem emotionally cold. From the INTPs' perspective, they are simply applying logical principles to their own behavior.

They can be insensitive to what other people want or expect from a relationship.

INTPs have more simple needs from interpersonal relationships than most other types have and are not overly demanding in personal relationships.

INTPs live in the world of theoretical possibilities. They see everything in terms of how it could be improved, or what it could be turned into… having the ability to analyze difficult problems, identify patterns, and come up with logical explanations.

Their minds are constantly working to generate new theories, or to prove or disprove existing theories…ignoring existing rules and opinions and defining their own approach to the resolution. They seek patterns and logical explanations for anything that interests them.

INTPs are motivated to examine universal truths and principles...always asking "Why?" and "Why not?"

If INTPs don't like a rule, they’re quick to challenge it and find flaws in it -- this could make an INTP somewhat of a rebel.

They are likely to ignore any rules, people or tasks they consider trivial. INTPs are usually not good with relationships. They are intensely private, and very hard to get to know. INTPs won't share their deepest feelings with just anyone. They dislike and distrust authority, only respecting knowledge

The INTP is usually very independent, unconventional, and original. They are not likely to place much value on traditional goals such as popularity and security. They usually have complex characters, and may tend to be restless and temperamental. They are strongly ingenious, and have unconventional thought patterns which allows them to analyze ideas in new ways.

In his book, Please Understand Me II, David Keirsey had this to say about the NT (INTP, ENTP, INTJ, ENTJ) temperament cluster:

NTs often have a curious amorality concerning the generally-accepted standards of mating behavior. The rules and formalities of society have little pressure for them, but their own personal standards of conduct certainly do. Society’s seal of approval -- in the form of a church ceremony or marriage license -- means nothing to them.

The sexual ethics of NTs are carefully considered, and strictly adhered to, but may or may not conform to the general mores of sexual behavior current in any given time.

NTs allow no compromise when it comes to their own autonomy. They are the most self-directed and independent-minded of all the temperaments and they resist (and resent) all forces that would coerce them in acting against their own will, that would try to make them march to someone else’s drum… Their resistance hardens against social or moral expectations that are meant to control them, those rituals, manners, regulations, codes of conduct -- those shoulds and shouldn’ts -- that govern most social behavior. And this is just as true if the coercion comes from educational institutions, governmental institutions, business institutions, or from the institution of marriage.