A pair of Rational/Irrational type traits is defined by filling the Accepting/ Producing function blocks with rational (Fi, Fe, Ti, Te) and irrational (Si, Se, Ni, Ne) information aspects. Thus, rational types have accepting rational and producing irrational aspects, while irrational types have accepting irrational and producing rational aspects.
As mentioned in the previous article, Accepting/Producing properties set the priority in information processing, distinguishing our functions into the target and instrumental. Combined with rational and irrational aspects, these properties give rise to two contrary types of thinking. Sensing and Intuition are responsible for the perceptual function, while Ethics and Logic are responsible for the judging function. Thus, rationals are types that use perception for judging, while irrational types use judging for perception.
To determine these traits, one needs to look at a person’s thinking priorities. For example, rationals seek to possess influence and resources to build harmonious relationships, while irrationals use values and relationships to gain new resources and develop their influence. In any case, this is a very complex pair of traits, and we do not recommend focusing on them at the beginning of typing. However, they can be helpful at the end of typing when the possible types have been narrowed down to one rational and one irrational type. If you hear one aspect and assume one of the two functions behind it, it is sometimes easy to understand whether it is the target or instrumental for the person. But to do this, you need to have a good understanding of the differences between the types’ functions.
Rational types include Hugo, Robespierre, Hamlet, Maxim Gorky, Jack London, Dreiser, Stierlitz and Dostoevsky.
Irrational types include Don Quixote, Dumas, Zhukov, Yesenin, Napoleon, Balzac, Huxley and Gabin.