INTP. The Thinker

INTPs are well known for their brilliant theories and unrelenting logic, which makes sense since they are arguably the most logical minded of all the personality types. They love patterns, have a keen eye for picking up on discrepancies, and a good ability to read people, making it a bad idea to lie to an INTP.

People of this personality type aren’t interested in practical, day-to-day activities and maintenance, but when they find an environment where their creative genius and potential can be expressed, there is no limit to the time and energy INTPs will expend in developing an insightful and unbiased solution.

Logic, for the INTP type, develops in an individual way but ultimately aims toward broad application and universal principles. It is web-like rather than linear. They are systems thinkers rather than project managers.

Until logical principles are developed in a particular area, INTPs are probably the most relativistic people on the planet. No one approach is sacred or beyond questioning. Everything must be questioned in order to arrive at sound principles. They are usually happy to spend hours in their own minds theorizing, entertaining potential ideas and solutions. They can be hard at work on something while appearing to be doing nothing to those around them.

They have a love of complexity. Intricate logic is exciting for its own sake. Logical accuracy and precise definitions are prized.

While their own emotions are often hard to reach, INTP types are often motivated by their caring for other people. Their caring is often expressed in the form of a well thought out solution to complex problems.

INTPs are born to figure out, with precision, the mysteries of life. They want to know how everything works, and how everything works together. They spot problems in systems remarkably well. Though this problem spotting is almost always intended as an act of service their critiques don't always go over well when others' egos are at stake, or if people are in a rush toward completing a project and don't want to refine their approach.

In addition, INTP types could care less what authorities say on a matter. If an authority doesn't make sense to them they cannot adhere to what the authority says. It's either logical or not. It doesn't matter who says it. Routine is there to simplify one's relationship with the outside world and further one's ability to explore more ideas.

Their gift for critique and incisive logic sometimes makes them seem unfeeling and can lend to social difficulties. They care about others and feel the emotions of others before their own. When they sense a negative emotional response from their peers after trying to help, it can make them feel unwelcome and out of place. The challenge for many INTPs is to find a synergy between their social sensitivity and their logical capacities.

INTP Quotes

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence." - Albert Einstein

“I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world.” - Richard Dawkins

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” - Marie Curie

“To kill an error is as good a service as, and sometimes even better than, the establishing of a new truth or fact.” - Charles Darwin

“Live your life as though your every act were to become a universal law.” - Immanuel Kant