Cognitive Function Rivalry: Which are the Most Conflicting “Demon” Functions?
Explore the concept of Cognitive Function Rivalry within the Jungian function stack framework, where each dominant function has an opposing “demon function.” Delve into the dynamic relationship between Extraverted Intuition (Ne) and Introverted Sensing (Si), which, despite appearing oppositional, work together complementarily. Contrast this with the rivalry between Ne and Extraverted Sensing (Se), two extroverted perceiving functions that clash due to their fundamentally different perceptions of reality—Ne’s abstract, non-linear world versus Se’s tangible, linear reality. Examine how these conflicting functions can lead to tension and misunderstanding, as illustrated by a scenario involving a basketball timeout. Additionally, consider other potential demon function rivalries, such as Si and Ni, Fi and Ti, Te and Fe, or Ne and Se, and determine which pair experiences the highest degree of conflict due to their oppositional information processing. Justify your choice and reflect on the nature of these fundamental disagreements.
Prompt
Cognitive Function Rivalry: For every dominant function or 1st function, there is an 8th "demon function" lurking beneath the shadows. Every function in the jungian function stack framework has one, such as Ne or Extraverted Inutition, it's dynamic opposite is Si, Introverted Sensing but Ne and Si are only oppositional superficially. Ne can understand how one must gather and store information from the past using sensory inputs to model what has worked before and use that to develop more accurate simulations and predictions using Ne. Ne and Si work together in this way to be a comlementarian and dynamic force which attracts and builds upon one another. However, Se and Ne? Two entirely different worlds there but what makes them such fierce rivals is that they are both perceiving functions, they are both vowing for attention and input/feedback/interaction from the external environment and are hence both extroverted functions, they are both active and operating in the here and now, BUT, there's just one key difference here that shatters any sense of "commonality" and replaces with "contempt" where reality itself as perceived via these two functions are so fundamentally opposite and incomprehensible to one another that the only response when encountering the other is to reject or invalidate or blow off anything presented by the other. Why? Because one (Se) lives in a world of tangible and concrete reality readily observed via the five senses in the present moment and acutely aware of the physical world while the other one (Ne) lives in the world of abstraction, generating multiple possiblities, seeing things from every angle, identifying what is NOT being said, what is NOT readily apparent. One world is linear and the other world is non-linear. And both cannot exist in harmony simultaneously with the other. During a 30 second time out with under 10 seconds to play in the state championship basketball game, Ni is going to be activated to quickly create a specific and direct plan that will have an end result of getting the ball in the hoop (Se) and winning the game. Ni envisions the plan and Se is the end goal: the two understand and respect one another, even if not at first, once they learn to work together, they learn that you really can't have one without the other. Now, just imagine during that 30 second time out an Ne user speaks up and says "What do you think all of this means? Have you noticed that they seem to play the same defensive front consistently every time we come out of a timeout? We could probably find a way to exploit that! Yeah! Think about it - they are most likely misaligned coming out of the lineup or just not paying attention or don't have the play down yet due to all the freshman on the roster. I bet we could figure out who it is, I bet we could come out of our huddles and line up with mismatches on the inbound and....STOP....times up...the game ended 20 minutes ago, what are you doing over here rambling on and on about huddles and mismatches? Dude, the only thing we are concerned about right now is finding something that works, NOW, and going and just getting it done, theres no contemplation or synthesis of commonalities and themes observed in time out patterns of lining up in different but similar defensive sets. Any Se user in that huddle having to listen that Ne guy for more than 5 seconds will certainly be wanting to pull their hair out and would have likely tuned out less than 5 seconds in to the cascade of ramblings. Yet, was the Ne user wrong? No. IN fact, it sounded brilliant and finding subtle patterns and discrepencies and exploiting them dynamically via strategic mismatching of key personnel is what separates good coaches from legends, geniuses. However, IN THAT MOMENT, it wasn't appropriate or necessary. The team didn't need complexity and a non-linear solution, it needed a linear and direct solution utilizing the tools offered by Ni+Se. Therefore, we now see the perfect storm of conflicting functions where one entirely invalidates the other's fundamentally understood and grasped sense of reality itself which not only feels debasing and disrespectful, but it also feels infuriating and such is the experience with these Conflicting “Demon” Functions. Cognitive Function Opposing Rivals: Which of the two "demon" functions from the jungian cognitive functions are the most likely to experience the highest degree of conflict due to the oppositional nature of how they process information leaving one unable to comprehend the other and therefore rejecting the basis by which it knows and understands reality to be on a fundamental level to be essentially invalid. We have provided an example of the Ne and Se rivalry, you can either agree with it so long as you justify your answer, OR you can choose a different "demon function rivalry" such as: Si and Ni, Fi and Ti, Te and Fe. OR Ne and Se. Which is it?
