Jung did not invent the four psychological types he has promoted. He renamed already known combination of opposites (complexio oppositorum). His sources are certainly a mix of the four elements from the Greeks and astrology, the four temperaments from Hippocrates and the four cherubim from Ezekiel.
A need for opposites
After his mystical experiences of 1913 and 1917, Jung understood that the opposites and their conjunction in transcendent experiences would be the basis of his psychology. Therefore, his whole theory of psychic organisation is based on opposite structures. So, when he started to study and define consciousness, he had no choice but to put into theory a complexio oppositorum or a combination of opposites.
There were already a few combination of opposites available to him. The most accessible was perhaps the four elements in astrology: fire, water, air and earth. Air astrological signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) embody intellect and communication. Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) radiate energy and passion. Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) are associated with emotion and intuition. Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) are known for their practicality and stability.
The four humours of Hippocrates also played a role. Those humours are sanguine (pleasure-‐seeking and sociable), choleric (ambitious and leader-‐like), melancholic (analytical and literal), and phlegmatic (relaxed and thoughtful).
Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types were not invented. They are derived from the humors of Hippocrates. The four basic Jungian cognitive functions are each derived from a humor:
Feeling (Water, Choleric),
Thinking (Fire, Phlegmatic),
Intuition (Air, Sanguine),
Sensation (Earth, Melancholic).
What Jung added to the previous combination of opposites is the polarities of introversion (a person focused on inner feelings and thoughts) and extroversion (a person focused on outer relationships and external objects). He also recognized that one develop a dominant cognitive function and amlesser developed auxiliary function. The other two are normally undifferentiated.
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| Rosarium Philosophorum, the opus |
Alchemy was primarily preoccupied with consciousness. In the Rosarium Philosophorum, the first step of the process is to identify the four elements of consciousness which are represented as the four stars in the picture above. Those are the four orientations of consciousness. When the step is realized, the artifex or artisan has to develop the three functions that are either unconscious or partially unconscious. This step is represented by the three faucets in the fountain.
In his time, Empedocles (494 – 434 BCE) already noted that those who have near equal proportions of the Four Elements are more intelligent and have the truest perceptions of reality. Personal transformation is dependent upon developing the elements or cognitive functions.
According to Jung, when two opposing functions are developed to an equal level, the psyche produces a symbol of conjunction of opposites. In alchemy and Jungian psychology, the union of opposite cognitive functions releases the transcendent function, a mystical experience and the creation of a higher unity and transcendence.
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