Posted by Ilmar on November 09, 1998 at 11:36:31:
In Reply to: Re: A new Developmental theory posted by Barbara on November 07, 1998 at 21:36:39:
: Type is an amazingly subtle and inclusive sort of pattern. It includes so many aspects. At what age is a child supposed to know, let alone decide this sort of thing. And why can't the child say, I'll take two traits from type 8 and three from type 5? And if this is a choice, why do people have to learn the enneagram types. When did we forget all this information?
: This explanation just begs too many unanswerable questions. It does not explain the nature of the types in any productive way.
As I see it, enneagram type is the result of a fundamental set of expectations about the world. This
means that all the type characteristics can be derived from one deep seated illusion. This also explains
why individuals of the same type can display very different traits, and why not all of our personality
is determined by enneagram type.
Also there are merged types; eg Five is Head type with some Heart features. As to why only these
particular types, they're related to certain basic needs and drives within human nature.
Ilmar