Dec 19, 2006

Bodies and Fields

One of the tantalizing concepts introduced by Aushra Augusta is the metaphor of "bodies" and "fields" in perception. She wrote that reality consists of aspects that can be broadly compared to bodies in physics and aspects that can be called "fields." Fields are the space between bodies (or objects) where interaction takes place.

Extraverted functions perceive aspects of bodies that can be discerned in and of themselves: shape, color, strength, processes within the object, the object's external activity, direction of movement, potential for change and development, etc.

Introverted functions perceive fields between bodies, or - as Augusta might say - "the reflection of one body within another." When these functions are at work, the individual has a certain attitude towards an object or objects. This attitude is what Augusta is comparing to a "field" in physics. These "attitudes" include: feelings of attraction/repulsion, like/dislike, logicalness/illogicalness, comfort/discomfort, serenity/worry, etc.

Extraverted perception focuses the individual's attention on external objects. Introverted perception focuses attention on the individual's perception of objects.

As I write at Socionics.us,

Objects (bodies): things that can be observed, studied, and discussed apart from the subject (observer)

Fields: things that are perceived through the subject by means of attitudes and cannot be studied apart from the subject

3 comments:

Socionics said...

What does Augusta mean by - "the reflection of one body within another."?

When these functions are at work, what are the workings of them? in other words what do they look like when they are at work?

Ричард said...

She meant: the effect of one entity (body) on another. For example, someone gets to close to you physically, and you feel stress and unease. Or you squeeze a ball and it begins to deform.

I currently view the separation of functions into 8 Jungian functions as artificial and am no longer interested in trying to define what state/behavior goes with which function, etc. I also think it is intellectually futile, because not only is it practically impossible to agree on how to delineate functions, but the supposed rules of interactions between functions are usually broken, due to "non-socionic" factors whose role usually outweighs that of socionic ones. Furthermore the 8-function model of the psyche is looking more and more outdated by the year as science learns more about the nervous system and physiology.

Socionics said...

How can we have only 1 attitude towards an object if introverted functions perceive "the reflection of one body within another."? (that's 2 objects)

Maybe an example of the reflection of 1 body with in another would be: a car reflects excitement & getting people home safely. & house would reflect comfort & warmth, so I would be perceiving that field. Is that correct?

When you typed " the 8-function model of the psyche is looking more and more outdated by the year as science learns more about the nervous system and physiology."
Will you give me your information resource?