ETI stands for epistemic typology indicator and explores the way in which certain types of people gain and process knowledge. It does this by analysing how we develop beliefs regarding the unknown and knowledge of what we do know. Our philosophical beliefs determine our view of that which is unknown. They may be characterised as either spiritual or nihilistic. Our analytical processes may be characterised as either inductive or deductive. In ETI, these characterisations are split into introverted and extroverted functions, thereby mirroring Jung’s theory of cognitive functions. So, introverted spirituality would correspond to extroverted nihilism, extroverted deduction to introverted induction etc. The functions include: introverted induction (Ii), extroverted induction (Ei), introverted deduction (Id), extroverted deduction (Ed), introverted spirituality (Is), extroverted spirituality (Es), introverted nihilism (In) and extroverted nihilism (En).

 

The types differ from MBTI in some aspects. Firstly, there are only eight types. Secondly, extroverts lead with two extroverted functions and introverts with two introverted functions. However, like MBTI, functions may still be split into both judging and perceiving forms. So, a four letter type may still be determined based on the four functions we consciously use. For example, ESIJ would stand for extroverted, spiritual, inductive and judging. Also, archetypes may be attributed to these types which, in the case of the ESIJ, would be the guardian archetype. Judging functions include: Ei, Id, Es, and In. Perceiving functions include: Ii, Ed, Is and En. This produces the following types:

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Nihilistic Types

ENIJ - Ei, En, Id, Is - gambler

ENDP - Ed, En, Ii, Is - provocateur

INIP - Ii, In, Ed, Es - hedonist

INDJ - Id, In, Ei, Es - warrior

 

Spiritual Types

ESDJ - Es, Ed, In, Ii - healer

ESIJ - Es, Ei, In, Id - guardian

ISIP - Is, Ii, En, Ed - seeker

ISDP - Is, Id, En, Ei - sage

 

Nihilistic types tend to focus on what is concrete and therefore lead with their strongest analytical function. By comparison, spiritual types are more willing to focus on what is unknown and therefore lead with their strongest philosophical function. This system lends itself to a considerably faster form of testing. Only three questions are necessary. Is the subject extroverted or introverted? Do they consider themselves spiritual or nihilistic? Which do they value more: variety or consistency? The final question provides an answer as to whether or not the subject is using introverted deduction. This analytical function tends to utilise first principles thinking with regard to the inner world. Therefore, an Id user would be keenly aware of their own preferences. This causes a preference for consistency. To add further nuance, three supplementary types exist for any given type. An aspirational type, a conscience type and an unconscious type. The aspirational type is either the type with identical middle letters. So, for an ESIJ, it would ISIP. The moral type is the type with the first three letters switched. For an ESIJ, this would be the INDJ. Finally, the unconscious type would be that which has identical middle letters to the conscience type. For ESIJ, it would be ENDP. This system allows for fast, easy typing with considerable accuracy.

 

Furthermore, it takes introverted functions into account when determining whether a type is perceiving or judging. So, the INFJ, who would typically correspond with the ISDP (sage archetype), would be represented as perceiving rather than judging. This could be considered more accurate as perception can occur via introverted intuition or introverted thinking. Both these functions, although not entirely similar, overlap with the Is and Id functions respectively.

 

Function Descriptions

 

For every extroverted function, there is an introverted function of the opposite type. So, an introverted inductive would be an extroverted deductive. Likewise, an extroverted spiritual would be an introverted nihilist.

 

Extroverted spirituality (Es) refers to the way that we reason with inexplicable, physical phenomena. This may manifest as an interest in the paranormal or by attributing physical occurrences to spiritual causes. It is inherently superstitious.

 

Introverted spirituality (Is) focuses on the internal world. It takes the view that spirituality is an internal struggle rather than an external one. It is inherently mystical. Therefore, it attributes spiritual explanations to those inexplicable aspects of the human condition.

 

Extroverted nihilism (En) considers every physical occurrence to have a concrete explanation. It is more likely to attribute scientific theories to inexplicable, physical phenomena.

 

Introverted nihilism (In) takes the view that inexplicable, internal phenomena may be attributed to either emotional or intellectual causes. Inexplicable aspects of the human condition are assumed to be physical in their origin.

 

Extroverted deduction (Ed) utilises first principles thinking with regard to the physical world. It seeks to explain physical phenomena in a concrete way and tries to find a solid, mathematical or logical basis for such explanations.

 

Introverted deduction (Id) also uses first principles thinking. However, it focuses on the inner world and what is considered true from a subjective standpoint. It considers preferences and feelings within the subject to be inherently true.

 

Extroverted induction (Ei) identifies trends in empirical data. It then seeks to explain and predict things based on these trends.

 

Introverted induction (Ii) identifies trends and patterns in the behaviour of the subject. It offers hypothetical explanations with regard to the preferences, emotions and behaviours of the subject. These explanations are then used to make predictions.

 

Type Descriptions

 

To demonstrate the effectiveness of ETI, the following type descriptions have been given. It is worth noting however that these descriptions are archetypal. The degree to which a given subject relates to them lends more credence to the archetypal matches of each type than to ETI itself (which is primarily concerned with epistemic functions). It has, however, been tested and proved to be fairly accurate thus far.

 

Primary type: healer

Aspiration: sage

Conscience: hedonist

Unconscious: gambler

 

This type seeks to solve problems and fix what is broken rather than protect what is good. They learn how to do this by aspiring to be like the sage and find role-models in their teachers. Their conscience archetype is the hedonist. They tend to worry that they are over-indulging in sensory pleasures. Unconsciously, they fear that they are risking too much and that they are the gambler. To fix things and heal things, they must go into dangerous and stressful environments. This may be considered reckless or unwise. Confronting this fear can make them more effective and efficient healers.

 

Primary type: guardian

Aspiration: seeker

Conscience: warrior

Unconscious: provocateur

 

This type is concerned with protecting all that is good and just in the world. They seek to do this rather than fix what is already broken. Their aspiration is the seeker who, by leaving their post, can discover more good and protect that too. They tend to worry about cutting things off before they have given them a second chance. They struggle with black and white thinking because the warrior archetype resides over their conscience. Unconsciously, they fear that everything they’re trying to protect is already broken or evil and that they are actually the provocateur. Confronting this fear can make them more loyal and steadfast guardians.

 

Primary type: seeker

Aspiration: guardian

Conscience: provocateur

Unconscious: warrior

 

This type seeks to explore the world and bring home a sense of hope and beauty. They aspire to be the guardian of such beauty and will cling strongly to the feelings, trinkets and teachings that they find on their journeys. The conscience is the provocateur. They worry that their curiosity may cause them to justify that which is ugly or evil beneath the surface. The unconscious is the warrior. Just as they explore to find what is good, they leave behind that which is bad. It is easy for them to forget others and essentially rid them from their world if they no longer meet their standards. This makes them afraid of leaving or destroying everything that means something to them. Confronting this fear provides them with the freedom they need to explore.

 

Primary type: sage

Aspiration: healer

Conscience: gambler

Unconscious: hedonist

 

This type seeks to bring their contemplations and inner wisdom to the world. They aspire to be healers and wish to share knowledge that brings personal growth and joy. Their conscience is that of the gambler. They fear that a lack of foresight and empathy may make all they have to teach others ineffective or detrimental in the grand scheme of things. They consider the communication of knowledge to be a risk for this reason. Their unconscious is the hedonist. They fear that, rather than being sincere teachers, they simply wish to seize power, wealth and all the pleasures that come with that. Confronting this fear makes them doubt themselves less.

 

Primary type: gambler

Aspiration: hedonist

Conscience: sage

Unconscious: guardian

 

This type seeks the thrill of the chase. They want to go all in and feel the intense feelings of elation and pride that come with getting what they were striving for. Their aspiration is that of the hedonist and they wish is to be able to finally sit comfortably with their winnings without always wanting more. They justify themselves as sages and teachers. They feel that they bring everyone else up to speed by being more competitive than their peers. Unconsciously, they act as healers and, through their efforts, knock down barriers and bring equilibrium to the world. Such is the case for those who value a challenge more than what they earn from it. They tend to give freely and be generous.

 

Primary type: provocateur

Aspiration: warrior

Conscience: seeker

Unconscious: guardian

 

This type is quick to justify that which is considered worthless, evil or ugly. Oftentimes they see the beauty and revel in such things. They aspire to be warriors, battling with the judgemental hypocrisies of moralists and antiquated world views of those who are overly conservative. They seek that chaos. They justify themselves as seekers, exploring the world and finding all the beauty they can find, even in places where it’s hard to see. Unconsciously, they act as guardians. They are a voice and a protector for that which is considered repugnant or disagreeable.

 

Primary type: hedonist

Aspiration: gambler

Conscience: healer

Unconscious: sage

 

This type seeks to enjoy all the pleasures that life has to offer. They want to feel good and happy above all else. Their aspiration is the gambler who may risk what they have to gain greater pleasures later on. They justify themselves as healers, seeking and providing the rest, comfort and pleasure required to recover and relax in such a harsh and painful world. Unconsciously, they are sages. They teach that, every once in a while, it is important to stop and smell the roses. Enjoying what beauty and pleasure exists in this world makes us grateful and happy according to their teaching.

 

Primary type: warrior

Aspiration: provocateur

Conscience: guardian

Unconscious: seeker

 

This type knows what they like and has little time for anything else. They know what they want, take it and keep it at all costs. Their aspiration is the provocateur and they wish to open their minds to more than what they already know is worth something to them. They justify themselves as guardians, striving to protect the things that they worked hard to get. Unconsciously, they are seekers. They are relentless and enduring in their search for the things they value most.

 

Application

 

Unlike other forms of typology, ETI currently offers little in the way of introspective resources for the individual. It is likely that a typed subject is already familiar with themselves to this degree. Rather, it’s true value lies in the ease and efficiency of its application. ETI makes it possible to map out the basic internal struggles and goals of a person. It takes very little information to answer the three questions required to do this. Introversion and extroversion are often easy to identify through observation. Philosophy is often evident in conversation. Finally, the preference for consistency can be garnered by a question as simple as what do you usually eat for lunch? Therefore, ETI can reveal a lot about a person’s mind with little information. This may be used to improve communication and rapport with others in situations with high stakes and short windows of opportunity.

 

There are many situations in which this may be the case. In leadership contexts, we can adopt aspects of an aspirational type. This encourages others to look up to us and follow our example. Adopting the conscience type of another can make us seem more reliable or trustworthy. Taking on the same primary type as another can make them feel understood and related to in a more platonic context.

 

Final Notes

 

ETI is a new and currently undeveloped form of typology. Much of the subtler nuances garnered by both professional and amateur typologists is required before this can be considered useful at the same level as enneagram or MBTI. These extra details form the basis for deeper introspection and bring the whole typology community closer together. Furthermore, such people encourage others to explore the fundamentals of typology and garner an understanding beyond the archetypes. This can prevent stereotyping and inaccurate assumptions from being made. Likewise, I would encourage all those interested in ETI to explore the epistemic functions I have outlined prior to trying to utilise this typing system. Our understanding of archetypes is often swayed by our own associations. While the “thing in itself” alludes us, it is my hope that the epistemic functions will bring us just a little closer.

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