What is the academic enterprise of your preference?

[SolitaryWalker]

I am not asking for what subject you've majored in school, just the subject that you tend to enjoy the most or are talented in?

[Tayshaun]

Did you purposefully ignore the natural sciences? Ever since the XIXth century, there has been a tendency to separate the natural sciences from "arts and humanities". However there is close historical and always present link between medicine/biology/physics/math and philosophy for example.

Are you making a poll dealing with the subjects you are personally drawn to the most or are you making the aforementioned separation in order to focus on the arts and humanities?

[SolitaryWalker]

Did you purposefully ignore the natural sciences? Ever since the XIXth century, there has been a tendency to separate the natural sciences from "arts and humanities". However there is close historical and always present link between medicine/biology/physics/math and philosophy for example.

Are you making a poll dealing with the subjects you are personally drawn to the most or are you making the aforementioned separation in order to focus on the arts and humanities?


Whoops I forgot about that one, many INTPs, I should have known would greatly enjoy the hard sciences and mathematics, dont know what I was thinking. And many other sciences that I did not take note of, don't know what I was thinking.

[Rajah]

Whoops I forgot about that one, many INTPs, I should have known would greatly enjoy the hard sciences and mathematics, dont know what I was thinking. And many other sciences that I did not take note of, don't know what I was thinking.If you want to add anything, I'll edit the poll.

[SolitaryWalker]

If you want to add anything, I'll edit the poll.

Oh yes please, Add the hard sciences: physics, chemistry,biology and the like..

And then mathematics

[Tayshaun]

Oh yes please, Add the hard sciences: physics, chemistry,biology and the like..

And then mathematics

medicine? computer science?

[SolitaryWalker]

medicine? computer science?

Yeah, add those two in seperate categories... and than Law please. I dont think that S subjects like history are even worth mentioning.

[Rajah]

Yeah, add those two in seperate categories... and than Law please. I dont think that S subjects like history are even worth mentioning.So, is that what you want?

[Jezebel]

I dont think that S subjects like history are even worth mentioning.

Really? I love history, especially ancient history and art history. I'm not so hardcore that I'm one of those people that memorize all the names and dates, but I do think it's fascinating to see what people have been through, how cultures developed, how ideas, systems and technology came about and evolved through time, and on and on. I'm not so sure that I'd list it as my favorite subject, but it's one of them.

[hereandnow]

Hard sciences.

[SolitaryWalker]

So, is that what you want?

Yes, excellent, thank you.

Now as far as history is concerned, (this is just based on my limited understanding of the subject), all that it is, is this: a documentation of what has happened in the past. An inquiry into how those events connect or what connotations they have on the arts, literature, sciences, philosophy and so on, is not history in itself, but thought about history, or maybe even we can call this philosophy of history.

Though the subject in itself is just a mere documentation of what has happened in the past, when we start putting more into it, we, unknowingly depart its province.

[HilbertSpace]

Now as far as history is concerned, (this is just based on my limited understanding of the subject), all that it is, is this: a documentation of what has happened in the past. An inquiry into how those events connect or what connotations they have on the arts, literature, sciences, philosophy and so on, is not history in itself, but thought about history, or maybe even we can call this philosophy of history.

Though the subject in itself is just a mere documentation of what has happened in the past, when we start putting more into it, we, unknowingly depart its province.

I believe your characterization is incorrect. The study of history uses documentation as well as other sources, but seeks to understand social, military, economic, political, and other characteristics of past societies. This isn't the philosophy of history, it is history itself. The philosophy of history governs more meta-processes, such as whether one believes that history is written by great men, by inevitable processes, by chance events, or some such.

In any case, the study of history is highly systemic in nature.

[SolitaryWalker]

I believe your characterization is incorrect. The study of history uses documentation as well as other sources, but seeks to understand social, military, economic, political, and other characteristics of past societies. This isn't the philosophy of history, it is history itself. The philosophy of history governs more meta-processes, such as whether one believes that history is written by great men, by inevitable processes, by chance events, or some such.

In any case, the study of history is highly systemic in nature.

Hmm.. than we could say that writing history books takes the skills that you've mentioned, yet as a student of history, you shall not be forced to use them.

Knowledge of history will only require that you know what happened, or wouldnt it?

[Ferrus]

In any case, the study of history is highly systemic in nature.
Indeed, which is why I love it so.

[HilbertSpace]

Hmm.. than we could say that writing history books takes the skills that you've mentioned, yet as a student of history, you shall not be forced to use them.

Knowledge of history will only require that you know what happened, or wouldnt it?

No. History is no more the rote memorization of dates than philosophy is the rote memorization of what philosophers have written. If you are a student of history, you are expected to show a mastery of integration of facts and the meanings and implications of those facts in the context of the timeframe you are studying.

[Jezebel]

Now as far as history is concerned, (this is just based on my limited understanding of the subject), all that it is, is this: a documentation of what has happened in the past. An inquiry into how those events connect or what connotations they have on the arts, literature, sciences, philosophy and so on, is not history in itself, but thought about history, or maybe even we can call this philosophy of history.

Though the subject in itself is just a mere documentation of what has happened in the past, when we start putting more into it, we, unknowingly depart its province.

I'm not sure why anyone would be truly interested in just memorizing the facts if they weren't looking for the significance behind them. Since history can be about anything though, I can't argue that it doesn't overlap with just about every other subject. It just does it in a different way than simply liking the subject. For example, appreciating art isn't necessarily like appreciating art history. I may like a piece of art for its composition being pleasing, but when I'm thinking about it in a historic sense I'm looking more at the meaning behind it and as a reflection of the culture it came from.

In fact, most of the people I've known who hate history seem to be S types with the "it's over with and nothing but a bunch of stories about dead people, what does it have to do with me and my life?" attitude. Most of the history courses and books I've had encouraged us to look beyond the facts and I've found most to be very interesting when the teachers/writers are good.

[SolitaryWalker]

No. History is no more the rote memorization of dates than philosophy is the rote memorization of what philosophers have written. If you are a student of history, you are expected to show a mastery of integration of facts and the meanings and implications of those facts in the context of the timeframe you are studying.

In that case maybe history of philosophy maybe just rote memorization of what philosophers did, but philosophy is not about other philosophers, philosophy is about what you come up with.

As a student of history, you really are not capable of doing any history in the way that I've defined that word, you'd be expected to philosophize about history.

[HilbertSpace]

As a student of history, you really are not capable of doing any history in the way that I've defined that word, you'd be expected to philosophize about history.

What I am pointing out is that history as you defined it differs from history the way it is practiced as an academic discipline.

[SolitaryWalker]

What I am pointing out is that history as you defined it differs from history the way it is practiced as an academic discipline.

Cogent enough, and accordingly history as I defined it can not be practiced in academia and it should really be called philosophy of history.

[Ferrus]

A polyhistor is the same as a polymaths, although they may once have had different shades of meaning.

Random fact of the day.

[C.J.Woolf]

You can say that I like the social system sciences: social psychology, economics, political science, and history. Yes, history, bitches. You can't really understand econ and poli sci without history.

/me is feeling cranky.


In fact, most of the people I've known who hate history seem to be S types with the "it's over with and nothing but a bunch of stories about dead people, what does it have to do with me and my life?" attitude.
"History is bunk." -- Henry Ford (S)

"History? We don't know. We'll all be dead." -- Bush (S) answers Bob Woodward when asked how history would judge his invasion of Iraq

[HilbertSpace]

You can say that I like the social system sciences: social psychology, economics, political science, and history. Yes, history, bitches. You can't really understand econ and poli sci without history.


I fully agree - history is rich, and it should be an aspect of any sort of study if you really want to understand the field in question.

But history as taught in high school is a miserable affair. That's where you end up with a dry recitation of names and dates. If you persist despite the initial cold and wet welcome you got from Mrs. Jones in 5th period, though - into the actual study of history - it is compelling, no matter what your main focus.

[hereandnow]

I fully agree - history is rich, and it should be an aspect of any sort of study if you really want to understand the field in question.

But history as taught in high school is a miserable affair. That's where you end up with a dry recitation of names and dates. If you persist despite the initial cold and wet welcome you got from Mrs. Jones in 5th period, though - into the actual study of history - it is compelling, no matter what your main focus.

Indeed. The study of history enriches the study of the hard sciences (as an example) and from historians we learn there is value in their approach to gathering data.

[C.J.Woolf]

Competent, consciencious historians impress me because they find the truth in amongst the lies: source material that is full of ax-grinding and ass-covering.

I believe the study of history is good for tuning your bullshit detector. The more you know about how history is done, the better you can spot people who have an ax to grind. I wish I knew more.

[cut the grass]

math, all the way. i love it.

[abweichend]

Foreign languages, I don't know if that should be included in the fine arts category. I guess it has something to do with my desire to understand and decode systems. I like to discover the logic in seemingly illogical systems. It's like a puzzle to me.

[Notsweetynice]

Yeah, add those two in seperate categories... and than Law please. I dont think that S subjects like history are even worth mentioning.

I always detested history with all its millions of facts and names...My mother, an SJ, was a history major and loves that stuff. I guess I didn't get her brain style.

[cryokinetic]

Hard science. I just happened to have majored in one... but all of my favorite activities involve it and it's always come pretty easily to me.

[SolitaryWalker]

I always detested history with all its millions of facts and names...My mother, an SJ, was a history major and loves that stuff. I guess I didn't get her brain style.

Si is as good storing facts as Ni at storing theories.

[Pooja]

I'm over "95% N" according to every test I've taken. And for most of my life tested as XNXX. And history (specifically Ancient History) is my subject. The "S" folks are the ones who seem to struggle with history the most.

[Rice-Tactics]

I would choose the first 4 if I could.

[zhang_bob]

I dont think that S subjects like history are even worth mentioning.:laser: History for me.


I agree with Pooja.

[Tayshaun]

About History: how Ti and Ne are at work.

Finding patterns and evaluating how certain circumstances can predictably lead to a certain situation. This is where Ne is at work, anticipation of a cascade of events from initial condition data.

Ti is at work when analyzing strategy. Understanding diplomacy, war, trade, conflict of interests, requires a cognition of strategy (and the other way round). There is an inexhaustible source of food for thought in a History book.

INTPs can enjoy the analysis and the prediction of events from finding patterns that History procures.

[Notsweetynice]

From what I remember from history we'd have essay type tests. Each essay was supposed to consist of several N-type big picture ideas....which was the 'easy' part for me. But the hard part was each big picture idea was required to be 'backed up' with many facts, the more the better. The longer the essay and the more facts you had the better grade you got :stupid:. So my problem was that I'd have too many Nish big picture ideas that I couldn't use because I couldn't remember enough detailed facts to back them up. Sometimes I'd remember a fact, but not in enough accurate detail to put it in an essay. On multiple choice tests as well there would be many more S type questions than N type questions. There was just too much memorization for me.

Maybe an N type history class would have made me like history a little more.

[Dunearhp]

Radio buttons?

The Renaissance man must be dead.

[Methofelis]

I love learning just about whatever I can, but I've always had strong leanings towards biology/zoology/paleontology/archeology/natural history and the like. I do have a deep love for physics as applies to architectural engineering as well.

[bluebell]

I voted hard sciences, but I could also equally have voted mathematics or art of writing/journalism. meh. I studied hard sciences and mathematics at college and taught myself the art of writing in my late 20s/early 30s.

/whee... 250 posts

[aether]

Geography, very closely followed by other subjects.

[Veradicere]

I am not asking for what subject you've majored in school, just the subject that you tend to enjoy the most or are talented in?

I am (was) most talented in math, but I abandoned it for the social sciences: sociology, psychology, history, geography, political science. The complexity of these subjects are never dull for me. I love every aspect of social science.

I also have an obsession with old photographs...I can stare at an old photograph for hours trying to imagine myself in them...what it would be like to live in that time, in full living color. I love history museums, old buildings, anything that is a connection to the past.


I also love science and technology, but not so much for serious study...more for fun. It's just a casual interest. e.g. I enjoy things like Discover magazine.

[aether]

I don't consider geography social sciences, I wouldn't know what to classify it. I was looking at a major to career converter and it recommened careers that aren't considered "social science" related:

Aerial Photo Interpreter
Agricultural Extension Agent
Air/Water Quality Control Manager
Cartographer
Cartography Compiler
Climatologist
Coastal Zone Manager
Community Developer
Computer Mapper
Computer Programmer
Demographer
Earth Scientist
Ecologist
Editor
Environmental Impact Analyst
Environmental Quality Specialist
Facilities Planner
Forestry Technician
Geographer
Geographic Area Specialist
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist
Geophysics Assistant
Hazardous Waste Planner
Health Services Organization Manager
Hydrologist
Industrial Developer
Industrial Planner
Intelligence Agent
International Business Representative
International Investment Analyst
Land Developer
Land Economist
Land-Use Analyst
Location Expert
Map Curator
Map Editor
Market Research Analyst
Natural Resources Specialist
Outdoor Guide
Park Ranger
Peace Corps Volunteer
Property Manger
Public Utilities Specialist
Real Estate Agent/Broker/Appraiser
Remote Sensing Analyst
Site Researcher
Soil Conservationist
Surveyor
Systems Analyst
Teacher ? Elementary, Secondary
Transportation Analyst
Travel Agent
Urban/Regional Planner
Weather Forecaster
Wildlife Manager
Writer/Author
Zoning Investigator

I should probably pursue a programming/software development, Systems Analyst, International Investment Analyst career, etc.;)

[Veradicere]

Since when are urban plannng and demography not considered social sciences? I think maybe some social science-related careers snuck in.

But then again, I've always considered geography as a social science- continents and countries are social constructions.

[aether]

I meant to say that I don't consider it an entirely social science field.

[Veradicere]

I meant to say that I don't consider it an entirely social science field.

Well yes, I can see that. After all, you have to have something tangible to hang your hat on.

[Anonymous]

I lean towards philosophy/liberal arts, myself. Fortunatley though, I've also got talent in 'Continental Science', so I won't be completely broke when I start my career.

[Llewellyn]

Philosophy, because such is also my interested in the hard sciences, i.e. not just how it all works technically but what it means for life.

[Hustler]

Philosophy, because such is also my interested in the hard sciences, i.e. not just how it all works technically but what it means for life.
O RLY? I would have figured you for a

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/Assets/necromancer.jpg

[Ferrus]

O RLY? I would have figured you for aLike all philosophers.

[skip]

"Continental science?"

[Arachne]

I don't think there has ever been a subject that did not appeal to me... unless you count PE as a subject. I'll have to go with arts and humanities for preference though. I remember being gravely disappointed as a teenager when I won an award for math and science; I really wanted to win the equivalent literature and history award.

[walfin]

An aside: what academic subjects would an S-type like?

Somehow most of them seem to be more for the Ns.

[Llewellyn]

O RLY? I would have figured you for a

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/Assets/necromancer.jpg

Really? Why? (I´m interested)


Like all philosophers.

Well... indeed, who knows what's behind philosophy... (not even being totally unserious).

I have been really into Graham Hancock's book Supernatural lately...

[A Schnitzel]

I chose physics.

Even though I'm quite talented at mathematics, it is a little too dry for my taste to choose as a career.

There is a pretty thorough dissection of the other options in a recent blag entry of mine.

[deuteros]

I'm kind of interested in everything but my favorite subjects in school were history (especially ancient history) and biology.

[deuteros]

An aside: what academic subjects would an S-type like?

Business, law, economics, fine arts, etc.

[pangolin]

I deny your categories.

edit: Let me specify that Literature and Linguistics, as well as the closely related Writing are all "Liberal Arts".
Fine arts are generally more material in manifestation, such as painting, sculpture, etc.
Performing arts: music, dance, acting.

additional edit: I also object to your reference of "Social Sciences" as "Continental Sciences".

Seriously, most of your posts come off as if you haven't learned anything that has occurred since the end of the 19th century.

[Pooja]

I'm kind of interested in everything but my favorite subjects in school were history (especially ancient history) and biology.

my favorite was also ancient history. In fact, I liked it so much that I majored in it. Now that I'm about to graduate, I'm desperately trying to build a time machine. ;) Maybe then I'll get some use out of the Latin I had to learn.

[deuteros]

I think I find ancient history fascinating because there is so much that we don't know and probably never will know. I especially enjoy reading about human migration.