Self-Diagnosis 29Thinking (T) Feeling (F)
Logical system Value system
Justice Mercy
Critique Compliment
Principles HarmonyTwo famous generals, one on the battlefield in World War II and
the other on the battlefield of civil rights, represent the thinking/
feeling polarity. General Patton, hero of the European theater of
war, was the tough-minded thinker. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
also had a war to fight, but his preference for feeling caused
him to choose a very different approach. Following the practices
of Gandhi, King believed that the only way to freedom was non-
violence.
The thinking/feeling polarity was also highlighted in the origi-
nal Star Trek television show. Mr. Spock, the ultralogical Vulcan
represented the consummate thinker, whereas “Bones” McCoy, the
ship’s doctor, was the compassionate feeler. The writers of the show
used these characters to show the conflicts that often arise between
thinkers and feelers.
The population is evenly distributed between thinkers and feel-
ers, although this is the one scale that reveals a gender bias. About
60 percent of men prefer thinking, and 60 percent of women pre-
fer feeling.
This preference for thinking or feeling has nothing to do with
intelligence (IQ). Thinkers often pursue advanced degrees in law
or finance, whereas feelers tend to choose advanced degrees in
psychology or education.
Here are some classic lines from thinkers and feelers:“I think, therefore I am.” (René Descartes, philosopher)
“I think that I think, therefore I think I am.” (Ambrose Pierce,
writer)04 ware 29 1/19/01, 1:02 PM