The Surprising ENTP Characteristics: Empathy and Moral Ambiguity
As an ENTP, I often encounter situations that surprise both myself and others. In this essay, I will delve into the two most striking traits of this personality type: our ability to create empathy and the lack of firm beliefs or values.
Empathy: A Crash Course
The trait that tends to surprise people and ourselves most is our ability to create empathy. It may sound contradictory to say we NTs, known for our analytical and logical minds, have an empathy-defying trait. However, it is true. Our empathetic abilities are rooted in our ability to connect our abstract, compartmentalized experiences with the real world. We can draw upon these experiences on the spot to understand and assess the situation of others.
There are instances where friends or acquaintances have been shocked by my understanding of their backstory, even though I only heard a fraction of their story. I can walk away from a conversation or situation where someone was crying, feeling no tears of my own, yet I have established a level of connection that I did not expect, and neither did they.
However, our empathetic abilities have their limitations. We might succumb to the temptation of coming up with solutions and trying to solve all their problems as an extroverted, intuitive, thinking, and perceiving (ENTP) personality type often does. This can sometimes lead to a shift from being an empathetic listener and reflector to one who tries to solve problems, which is more in line with our logical and solution-oriented nature.
Moral Ambiguity: A Lack of Firm Beliefs or Values
Another surprising characteristic of ENTPs is our firm set of beliefs or values. Similarly vague as it may sound, let's explore what this means.
Most people have a set of beliefs or values that guide their behavior. For many, these beliefs are not flexible and are rooted in moral codes based on religion or societal norms. For instance, the concept of good and evil is often used to judge behavior. However, ENTPs generally do not have an unshakable moral compass, especially in a world where circumstances can significantly influence behavior.
It is difficult to say with certainty that we will never do something morally wrong, as circumstances can change our perspectives. I, for one, do not pass judgment in terms of right or wrong, good or bad, because these terms are highly subjective. My own moral code is generally, “don’t be an asshole,” but this does not mean I have an unshakable moral compass.
Apart from personal moral beliefs, I was in law and criminology for a while, where I often encountered colleagues who would call someone “evil” and demonize them. Such behavior can perpetuate a sense of separation from the horrific reality of criminal activities. However, true empathy requires recognizing that these individuals are still human, just like us. Most of them have been raised in circumstances that condition them for potential sociopathy.
Conclusion
The surprising ENTP characteristics discussed here highlight the complexity and unique aspects of this personality type. Our ability to create empathy and our lack of firm moral beliefs or values are traits that can both help and hinder us in our interactions with others. Understanding and accepting these traits can help us better navigate social and personal relationships.