To an observer, extraverted thinking will often seem to be oriented by what's going
on in the environment.
In relation to ideas about the world it often appears superficial, lacking depth, as this
type of thinking cannot go beyond the actual features of the things perceived, like creatively
adding in imagination onto it for instance.
"It almost seems as though it were a mere sequela of external facts, or as though it
could reach its highest point only when flowing into some general idea"
"It seems to be constantly affected by the objective data and to draw conclusions only
with their consent.
Hence it gives one the impression of a certain lack of freedom, of occasional short-sightedness,
in spite of all its adroitness within the area circumscribed by the object."
However negative this description might seem, extraverted thoughts although rather shallow,
may be the most useful in practical matters; in planning, management of teams and enterprises,
statistics, data analysis, rapid decision making, any mission that is palpable and does
not involve much introspection, or depth of insight.
"In its essence this thinking is no less fruitful and creative than introverted thinking, it
merely serves other ends."
In observing a thought exchange between an extravert and an introvert, given thinking
as the dominant function in their personality, the extraverted might give a description of
what the weather is like, the introvert may respond connecting the observable features
of such weather with a vivid memory, or a twisted anecdote on what feelings the two
might have felt if the weather was otherwise.
The first describes reality as is without addition, the introverted can't help but color
the concrete characteristics of the object with what he has to say, of it.
"Introverted thinking then appears as something quite arbitrary, while extraverted thinking
seems dull and banal.
Thus the two orientations are incessantly at war."
Extraverted thoughts need the additions of an introvert by which it is enriched, and
vice versa.
"This difference becomes quite palpable when extraverted thinking appropriates material
that is the special province of introverted thinking; when, for instance, a subjective
conviction is explained analytically in terms of objective data or as being derived from
objective ideas.
For our scientific consciousness, however, the difference becomes even more obvious when
introverted thinking attempts to bring objective data into connections not warranted by the
object in other words, to subordinate them to a subjective idea.
- Each type of thinking senses the other as an encroachment on its own province, and hence
a sort of shadow effect is produced, each revealing to the other its least favorable
aspect."
Insofar as practicality concerns us, I presume that after you have gained insight in the
differences of these two types of thinking, it is of value to learn as an extravert to
think more introspectively, and it is as valuable to generalize and not get too caught up in
detail at times as an introverted thinker.
Try at least to be open to hear some shallow descriptions of reality which can get you
out of your head, as much as deep thinking can encourage my extraverted fellows to ponder
around some existential concerns, and gain further insight into themselves.
"Each needs the influence of the other.
When objective data predominate over thinking to any great extent, thinking is sterilized,
becoming a mere appendage of the object and no longer capable of abstracting itself into
an independent concept.
It is then reduced to a kind of after-thought, by which I do not mean reflection but a purely
imitative thinking which affirms nothing beyond what was visibly and immediately present in
the objective data in the first place.
This thinking naturally leads directly back to the object, but never beyond it, not even
to a linking of experience with an objective idea.
Conversely, when it has an idea for an object, it is quite unable to experience its practical,
individual value, but remains stuck in a more or less tautological position.
The materialistic mentality is an instructive example of this."