Fourth Function

FOURTH FUNCTION 

It is difficult to talk about the Fourth Function in so many words. It is a "trifle," a function to which we ourselves attach little importance. This does not mean that the Fourth is obviously weak and unproductive. On the contrary, the world is full of good mathematicians with the 4th Logic and artists with the 4th Emotion. The main thing in it is again the subjective hierarchy of internal values, forcing one thing in oneself to be placed on the last fourth step. And having put, and treat accordingly. 

I would like to insist on this attitude to the Fourth Function because confusion between the quality of functioning and the position of the function on the steps of the psychic hierarchy is a common mistake in psychosophy. The 4th Logic is not necessarily stupid, the 4th Emotion is not necessarily insensitive, etc. One woman with the 4th Will, when I once commented on her "weak character," contradicted me with feeling: "That's not true. I am not weak-willed. I'm just more comfortable being driven." And she was absolutely right. God forbid us, in examining low-ranking functions, to equate their position with quality. No mistake is more serious. 

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On the surface, the Fourth Function is hardly distinguishable from the Second. What they have in common is freedom, naturalness, and fearlessness of self-expression. For example, the 4th Logic can get into an intricate philosophical argument with ease and paradoxical thinking, without being offended, like the 2nd Logic, at the "fool" who has spoken in his heart. With the outward resemblance of action, however, there is a profound difference in motives between these two functions: 2nd Logic will not be offended by a "fool" because it will not believe it, while 4th Logic will be offended because it is deeply indifferent to assessments on this part. That's the trick. 

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Based on the outward similarity between the Second and Fourth functions, I see the need to list the signs by which identification of the Fourth can be considered unconditional. 

The main thing is that activity according to the Fourth has no independent value; it is not an end, but a means of existence. Therefore, if, say, someone with the 4th Logic is engaged in intellectual labor, it follows only that he tries to use this function (regardless of success) as a tool with which to realize the demands of other self-valuable superior functions: ambition - by Will, material interests - by Physics, etc. 

Second, the unreliability of what is mined and obtained by the Fourth; recall Tolstoy's 4th Logic, who, for all his love of philosophizing, doubted the existence of Japan and Madagascar. 

Third, disconnection of the Fourth in crisis situations. The human psyche, which is generally distrustful of the Fourth as such, disconnects it during crises as a possible hindrance in choosing the right solution and shifts the internal energy to higher levels. 

Next, there is mirroring. Interaction with the Fourth is always identical to the order made by the higher function of the partner. This circumstance, for example, makes the 4th Physique a good sexual partner, because, not having its own model of sexual behavior, it adequately and sensitively responds to all requests of the partner. 

Finally, the Fourth Function is very dependent and easily subordinates itself to other functions higher in the hierarchy. Thus, 4th Physics painlessly becomes a concubine, 4th Emotion is easily infected with other people's moods, 4th Logic accepts any, more or less plausible concepts without any argument, 4th Will agrees in advance with decisions made for it. 

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A remarkable feature of the Fourth is that one learns its true power only in moments of fullness of life. Translating the term "fullness of life" into the language of psychosophy, we can say that it is a state when the first three functions are adequate to themselves, i.e. there is a good result on the First and there are processes on the Second and Third. It is at such moments that the usually dormant Fourth function acquires strength, independence and depth of sound. And vice versa, striking any of the first three functions completely shuts down the Fourth.

In short, the Fourth Function is a slave without guile, a chameleon and a dependant with great but often dormant potential. 

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At the end of the description of the functions I will give for clarity a diagram of their brief characteristics.