Attitudes and the Spiritual Life-006

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Attitudes and the Spiritual Life-006

• How Man Tries to Understand Mankind The 4
  Temperaments

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• In 400 BC, the doctor and philosopher Hippocrates
  proposed that there were four fundamental
  personality types, or temperaments.
• He mistakenly presumed that these four types were
  the result of different bodily fluids
  predominating in the human body.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Temperament differs from Personality in that
  Temperament inborn and Personality grows out of
  upbringing, culture, family, and other external
  factors. Personality equals Temperament plus Life
  Experience.
• In the study of Temperament there are many
  approaches with many names. The easiest approach
  to understand and use divides individuals into
  one of four basic types Phlegmatic, Choleric,
  Sanguine, and Melancholy.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• These names came from the Greeks who thought that
  behavior was influenced by an abundance of bodily
  fluid.
• While the 4 body fluids system of healthcare died
  out in the 1600s, the belief that an individual
  can be classified by Temperament type lives on as
  evidenced by the use of Temperament tests in the
  areas of employment, group teambuilding,
  organizational development and Christian Pop
  Psychology.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The 4 Temperaments is probably the most common
  system adapted in Christianity,
• The four Temperament types have been re-named
  many times one of the Christian adaptations
  is the DiSC model.
• The interest in this and all types of Typing
  Systems is the promise of Understanding
  Temperament provides many insights into our own
  behavior and the behaviors of others spouses,
  children, bosses, co-workers, etc.1

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The answers to Why do I react the way I do? Why
  do I have this particular weakness or fear?
  Temperament is one means of answering some of
  these questions.1
• Further study has shown that most people are a
  blend of two of the four Temperament types.
• One Temperament type is predominating the other
  is secondary.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Sanguine (blood), which means cheerful.
• Ch'-ler-ic (yellow bile), which means irascible.
  This temperament applies to the achiever, one who
  is goal-oriented.
• Melancholy (black bile), which means excessively
  gloomy. The melancholy person is often bright,
  and neat, but tends to focus on the flaws in
  things, the negative side.
• Phlegmatic (phlegm), which means sluggish or
  unexcitable. The phlegmatic person tends to be
  slow-moving, calm, and even timid.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The Choleric is the strongest of the extroverted
  Temperaments.
• The Choleric Temperament is sometimes referred to
  as a Type A personality a hard driving
  individual known for accomplishing goals.
• This is both good and bad good in that the
  Choleric is a person of accomplishment they get
  things done.
• Bad, in that the Choleric does not care how they
  accomplish those goals.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The most insensitive of the Temperaments, a
  Choleric cares little for the feelings of others.
  
• They simply dont play into the equation.
• In the DiSC model, the Choleric is the D for
  Driver or Difficult.
• Cholerics have the most trouble with anger,
  intolerance, and impatience.
• Those of other Temperaments are simply tools to
  be used or problems to be avoided.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The Choleric doesnt stand on ceremony, they want
  facts instead of emotions, and if you get your
  feelings hurt, its your problem, not theirs.
• He welcomes challenges and even problems to be
  solved, as he pursues his goal single-mindedly.
• He is no quitter, and is a natural leader.
• However, because he is so focused on his goal, he
  often rubs people the wrong way, since he rarely
  has time to see how they are responding to his
  pursuit of his goal.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• He is usually not interested in the arts, but is
  more utilitarian. He is often domineering and
  even prideful.
• The Choleric may make an impressive leader the
  most obvious example is General George Patton of
  World War II fame. Watching the character
  portrayed by George C. Scott you find a man who
  is driven and drives everyone around him towards
  excellence.
• He makes a good CEO, or leader, or even criminal
  if his interests lie in that direction

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Irascible is a negative way to describe a
  person who is basically an activist, an achiever.
  
• Granted, such persons may be irascible, but that
  should not define them. (It seems that
  Hippocrates was a bit of a melancholy in the way
  he described the achievers.)
• The word "achiever" better describes the
  "choleric." (Florence Littauer speaks of the
  "powerful choleric.")
• In any case, the achiever is one who is
  practical, "active and strong-willed."

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• He gets things done he is "independent,
  self-sufficient, decisive and opinionated... he
  has endless ideas, plans and ambitions."
• A Choleric in business will often rise rapidly in
  managerial rank but may leave damaged people in
  his wake.
• And in the area of home and family, a Choleric
  can damage spouses and children by insisting on
  my way or the highway.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• They simply have stronger strengths and
  weaknesses than some of the other types.
• Because the Choleric is such a driver, they do
  not work well in groups.
• A Choleric group member is likely to take a
  project or task and, in effect, say Ill get
  this done and have it for us in the morning
  and proceed to do the work himself.
• A Choleric may not have many friends having
  scared or injured most of the people they know.
• They need friends because a strong Choleric may
  come to dislike even themselves over time.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Cholerics have the most difficulty with the warm,
  outgoing Sanguines and would probably do best
  with easygoing Phlegmatics as friends.
• In a spouse or partner, a Choleric most needs
  someone with a great deal of personal strength.
• Another Choleric would probably be best suited as
  a spouse with the Phlegmatic coming in a distant
  second.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Choleric
• Many of those venerated as the greatest saints
  were of either choleric or melancholic
  disposition. Not, of course, because those of any
  particular temperament are pre-disposed towards
  sanctity (such is not the human condition!), but
  because their depth and intensity made them more
  likely to have the militant (in the best sense)
  approach that makes for the founders, heroes, and
  zealots.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Naturally, this proverbial two-edged sword also
  gives those with these temperaments the potential
  for a lengthy drop if they should fall!
• The choleric's strength is zeal, his weakness
  anger.
• How he channels his great personal conviction and
  power will be key to his Religious life.
• The choleric approach is never in half measure,
  and what he embraces as most important in his
  life can make him the greatest of saints or the
  most picturesque of sinners.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The choleric well may be the leader of an army
  (or Religion), and the ideals he champions will
  be based on a recognition of higher goals than
  some others can understand.
• Indeed, such excesses in religious practice as
  the Middle Ages had to offer, such as the burning
  of heretics, often showed Choleric zeal.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Then as now, the choleric are likely to be what
  we today would term "achievers."
• The choleric whose focus is religious will focus
  his actions on organizing altruistic programs for
  the needy, Legalism, the activities of the
  Church, or, perhaps, Social Activism.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Those involved in the political or military
  arenas (and recall that, during the medieval
  period, these were equally Church concerns) will
  have concepts of "God and country" that are
  enduring and profound. Many a choleric has earned
  glory, but personal acclaim is never his sole
  concern.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• If a choleric "goes astray", it will be from
  bitterness and anger, though his principles
  generally remain unshaken.
• He is apt to lose patience with those who lack
  his depth, and to judge as "lukewarm" the
  adaptable (and often peripheral) possessors of
  other temperamental inclinations.
• Whatever he is and believes is totally genuine,
  however it may be distorted by misplaced zeal at
  times.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• His bitterness would be towards what he sees as
  maneuvering and manipulation that answers to no
  higher authority.
• Trust in divine providence is critical for the
  choleric - and, as with the melancholic,
  difficult to develop.
• He also can find that he is as likely to
  intimidate others as he is to inspire them.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The choleric's puzzlement at others' lack of
  depth can grow to disgust, and, too often, he who
  sees himself as championing the causes from which
  others will benefit can find himself quite alone.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The word picture of a Phlegmatic includes laid
  back, easy going, needing structure, calm,
  passive, team oriented.
• A Phlegmatic is typically an introvert
  understanding that introvert doesnt necessarily
  mean unsociable.
• An introvert has an active inner life and can be
  tired by large amounts of social interaction.
• They need quiet and solitude to recharge.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Introverts are often seen as arrogant or snobbish
  due to their quiet, introspective natures this
  is rarely, if ever, true.
• In the DiSC model, the Phlegmatic is the S for
  Steady or Structure.
• Phlegmatics appear to the world as calm,
  easygoing people.
• As friends they are fiercely loyal though they do
  not usually have a large number of friends.
• It takes time to get to know a Phlegmatic because
  they are not naturally outgoing.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Phlegmatics make great team members because they
  are cooperative and do not insist on their own
  way. They tend to prefer repetitive, structured
  work, which also makes them excellent assistants
  or committee members.
• The phlegmatic, is the calm, easy-going person.
  He is often slow-moving, and does not get ruffled
  easily. Many of the Latins have a strong
  phlegmatic streak in them.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The phlegmatic is usually easy to get along with,
  and has many friends, but is sometimes so laid
  back that he doesn't get around to things he
  should do.
• He will often not volunteer for a leadership
  role, but if he somehow falls into it, he does
  well.
• He is able to make peace between feuding parties.
  
• He tends to see the humorous side of human
  nature, and may, with his dry humor, poke fun at
  others in a hilariously funny way

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The Phlegmatic has two chief weaknesses first,
  they have to fight a tendency towards laziness.
• It is very easy for a Phlegmatic to drift when
  faced with unstructured time.
• The second weakness shared by Phlegmatics is a
  naturally fearful streak.
• While apparently calm most of the time, the
  Phlegmatics inside world is awash with anxiety
  and fear.
• These fears may be completely unfounded but still
  the Phlegmatic will find a way to worry.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• With all this inner stuff going on, the
  Phlegmatic is still hard to read and may be
  thought of as shy, snobbish, or arrogant when,
  for the most part, none of these is true.
• Most extroverts have a great deal of trouble
  understanding introverts, but have an easier time
  accepting Phlegmatics than they do the more
  critical Melancholy Temperament.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The phlegmatic lack the sparkle of the sanguine,
  but are also quite adaptable - and will not be
  likely to "rock the boat", neither through the
  zeal of the choleric and melancholic, nor
  unwittingly as with the sanguine.
• Frequently (as in the case of the great
  theologian Aquinas, who is often thought to have
  been of this temperament), they can be
  extraordinary scholars.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The phlegmatic will have a direct and rather
  scientific approach.
• The very lack of passion inherent in the
  phlegmatic, which can appear to be indifference
  in relationships with others, will keep their
  intellectual vision from becoming clouded

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The phlegmatic have a degree of detachment that
  makes for great minds, but does not foster warm
  relationships.
• They will be unlikely to offend others, and
  equally unlikely to fall into the trap of
  judging, but will leave the others with a sense
  of indifference.
• Where the sanguine role is with active
  involvement with others, the phlegmatic is the
  translator, writer, or scientist.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Those of phlegmatic temperament are likely to be
  stabilizing forces in any group situation.
• They will have a sense of duty and responsibility
  that will be a strong influence on their actions
  and decisions.
• Different though they are from the sanguine,
  they, too, need positive influences from the
  authority figures or groups with which they
  associate themselves.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Where the sanguine is a conformist for the sake
  of acceptance, the equally obedient phlegmatic
  will be so from a sense of obligation and respect
  for tradition and the status quo.
• This can be a problem if the status quo is false,
  because they will not question those in authority.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The Sanguine temperament is the most common.
• Today, they are prized for their extroverted and
  seemingly "happy go lucky" approach, but their
  lack of depth can be a weakness in spirituality.
• Interestingly, these apparent free spirits often
  are most obedient in practice, because fitting in
  as part of a group is most important to them.
• Women are often sanguine, in their nurturing,
  personal natures, usually very warm in their
  relationships

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Sanguines need the approval and attention of
  others (in fact, a spotlight often will suit them
  just fine), and not only enjoy the company (and
  security) of a group setting but seem to derive
  their energy from such interaction.
• Their general amiability makes theirs perhaps the
  most attractive of temperaments, but, in serious
  situation, it can be enigmatic.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The sanguine temperament, obedient and adaptable
  though they will seem in religious life, do not
  base their behavior or their conformity to rules)
  on deep concepts or high ideals.
• They will go along with the popular ideas, and
  can appear, to those of a more philosophical
  bent, as lacking integrity.
• If what is presented as true or desirable in
  January is totally changed by March, the sanguine
  not only will parrot the latter views without
  regard for the apparent contradiction, but will
  be unlikely to realize such discrepancies even
  exist.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The sanguine is not seeking truth - he is looking
  for acceptance, and that he is likely to find,
  because, even if he becomes involved with a cause
  or a controversial matter, he will bend with the
  group's tendencies.
• At first glance, the sanguine appear to be the
  most friendly of people, and, indeed, they are
  the most at ease in social situations.
• Nonetheless, they remain blind to the effect
  their actions or decisions may have on others.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Being peripheral in their relationships, they
  seldom are the ones who can offer strength and
  support to others - they are unreliable, not
  through callousness, but because of their lack of
  depth.
• It would be a sanguine sort who would be puzzled
  by how others could revolt at injustice - and
  their response well may be something like "but
  the rest of the village had to do it, too."

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• On the Religious side, those of sanguine
  temperament can have a simple, childlike faith
  that will appeal to those they serve.
• They will have gratitude to God for whatever
  blessings they feel they have received.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• They are likely to be faithful to any state of
  life they embrace, and are likely to have a
  pleasant home atmosphere, and a delight in the
  simple things of life that can be very positive
  for others.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Melancholy is the perfectionist, who notices and
  often dwells on the flaws in things, and is very
  neat and orderly.
• He tends to be moody, and introverted.
• When he experiences a high he may be more
  outgoing, or even very creative, but if not, he
  is shy and retiring.
• He is slow to make friends, but once he makes a
  friend, he is a faithful one, and will do almost
  anything for his friends.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Melancholic
• The melancholic can be described as the
  temperament that longs for heaven so that life on
  this earth will always be a disappointment.
• The depth and dedication of the melancholic will
  meet or exceed that of the choleric, but his
  natural caution and slowness to embrace new
  courses of action can leave him with a sense of
  having no way to channel his high ideals.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The melancholic will base his action on concepts
  often so lofty that those of other temperaments
  will not comprehend the motivation.
• His relationship with God will appear to have the
  intensity and devotion of a love affair, but his
  reactions themselves, not only his ideals, will
  be of such duration that he will lack resilience
  when his deep feelings meet with resistance.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The idealism of the melancholic, so centered in
  an awareness of divine power, makes him the
  likely target for the devious.
• However great his intelligence, the melancholic
  can become prey because if he encounters deceit
  when he himself is focused on truth and honesty,
  it will not occur to him that others do not share
  similar ideals.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• The melancholic who is devout will be inclined to
  seek a high degree of virtue, because union with
  God will be an overwhelming focus, and it will
  indeed be God alone that he seeks to please.
• Even his frequent devotion to the service of
  others will be focused on ultimately pleasing the
  God towards whom his devotion is passionate.
• He will naturally assume that all human behavior
  is based on his own consideration of lofty
  concepts.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• It may take years for a melancholic to develop
  any sort of closeness with those he meets, but,
  that done, he will be your most devoted friend or
  your worst enemy, and either will be "forever.
• Once harmed personally, exposed to grave
  injustice, or even seeing that, for example,
  those in authority have personal gain rather than
  the welfare of those they rule as their goals,
  his disillusionment will be strong and usually
  unshaken.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• Our profound choleric and melancholic friends,
  much as their temperaments may be respectively
  fire and ice, are likely to "leave their mark" to
  quite an extraordinary extent when presented with
  the opportunity.
• But if the choleric can find his downfall in
  anger, the Melancholic's Achilles heel is despair.

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Humoralism - 4 Temperaments

• In a planning meeting he will often see the
  pitfalls and dangers of any project, and may be a
  thorn in the side of the achiever who wants to
  forge ahead.
• He is usually willing to sacrifice himself for a
  program or a friend.
• A good number of the geniuses of this
  world-architects, "artists, musicians, inventors,
  philosophers, educators"- had a melancholy
  temperament.
• Perhaps a better description for the melancholy
  would be "perfectionist."