Posted by Elizabeth on October 29, 2001 at 23:07:17:
In Reply to: the enneagram is bullshit because... posted by Type 0 on October 29, 2001 at 19:03:41:
: I don't like it.
: My reasoning may be simple, but don't discount it. I say mint chocolate chip icecream is nasty. Of course a lot of people like it, but that won't make me say it's good. And no matter what the other side says, the pro-choice and anti-abortion asswipes aren't gonna change their minds. I just happen to be in the minority over here. But I must ask the question again... if the enneagram is such a great system, why the Hell aren't more people interested and why isn't it used more by mental health professionals?
>>> Because it's not that kind of system. The enneagram is a system that works well with common sense and the natural psychological intuition innate to humans. It is a language to help people describe what they already know and a structure that aids in the manipulation of that knowledge for gaining new insight. Art rather than science.
The DSM-IV is not a system designed to aid people in understanding the inter-dynamics of normal human personality or themselves. It describes symptoms or characteristics in the form of diagnostic criteria but doesn't offer any interpretation of significance or address the underlying causes and motivations that shape such personalities. It is a diagnostic tool for psychologists and has been shaped by the political and legal systems of the United States (i.e. self-defeating personality was removed due to complaints by feminist groups). Plenty of clues there but not so much big picture TRUTH.