Can you give an example/explanation of Ti types viewing the world as a system?
The simplest definition of a “system” is a bunch of parts/variables that work together towards some purpose or to produce some result, e.g., a computer is a system of smaller components that connect together to produce computational functionality. An object/variable is considered a “relevant” part of the system if it is determined to affect the overall functioning of the system, e.g., an important part/variable of a computer system is the power source because computational functionality cannot be achieved without it. An object/variable is considered “irrelevant” to the system if it is determined to have no influence, e.g., the color of the computer has no bearing on its computational functioning, so it is not worth thinking about. Inherent in a “systems approach” to life is a hyperfocus on “problems” or “troubleshooting”, being alert to when the system does not work the way it is predicted to work based on the analysis of its parts. E.g. If one day your computer doesn’t turn on, you’ll be confused at first because all the parts are still there, still connected, and still in proper order. But if you understand the system, if you understand the precise causal chains that link the parts together, then you’ll know exactly how to solve the problem because you know which parts are directly influencing it (and which parts are irrelevant).
Using Ti is very similar to The Scientific Method as illustrated in this diagram. Everything in the world is an object that is part of a system, so Ti wants to create a mental map/model of the system that: 1) properly accounts for the purpose/product/result/function of the system, 2) correctly identifies which parts are relevant or irrelevant to the system, 3) outlines the precise causal chain(s) that link the various parts of the system together, and 4) produces good predictions and straightforward principles to keep one’s behavior aligned with how the system works (to easily avoid/prevent problems or quickly troubleshoot problems). Ti wants precise cause and effect formulas, so it is often hypothesizing or postulating {if x, then y?} and then systematically testing those hypotheses. ButTi cannot reach full certainty very easily because there is often more information available {if x, then y… but what if I do this…or what if I introduce that…?}. Therefore, Ti must then refine a hypothesis/formula as new information comes in {if x, then y… except when z}. To use Ti successfully requires the help of extraverted functions to objectively verify, falsify, or refine a subjective hypothesis/formula towards greater precision (which is why to be a healthy Ti dom requires a well-developed auxiliary perceiving function), then one can accurately distinguish relevant from irrelevant data as well as ensure (through external feedback) that there are no gaps/holes/flaws when the reasoning process gets too convoluted.
Keep in mind that many introverts are unaware of how their dominant function operates because it comes very naturally and is not easily observable in behavior. You can generally tell that Ti is present by listening to how someone speaks and whether they frequently utilize: conditional words to implicitly hypothesize (if, since, when), careful modifier words to avoid absolute statements (sometimes, maybe, likely, except), and concluding words that clarify logical connections between ideas (then, because, therefore). However, people who use Ti poorly tend to jump immediately from “hypothesis” to “final conclusion” without going through the necessary refinement process, and such individuals can easily be mistaken as Te types because of their more absolute/certain sounding statements. When Ti treats a system as being “closed” and fully understood (”it makes sense to me and that’s enough”), a person becomes blind to whatever else is influencing the system and then they will proceed with a very flawed/oversimplistic mental map that leads to failure, mistakes, or problems. Sometimes a hypothesized causal relationship turns out to be nonexistent, only a correlation, a placebo effect, or a self-fulfilling prophecy. Sometimes there are hidden factors or confounding variables that are quite difficult to identify in very complex systems. In other words, cause-effect is easy to assume when you’re just guessing to yourself but not easy to verify with certainty in real life. Therefore, using Ti maturely means being confident in one’s analysis while still recognizing that any belief is merely a “hypothesis” always awaiting further refinement from the facts of the world, which is why healthy Ti doms tend to be: naturally flexible, easygoing, open to hearing ideas; confident and self-assured yet still tentative in drawing conclusions; quite precise in asking pointed questions that can reveal the correct logical connections; able to welcome and take full advantage of critical feedback, able to learn fast from mistakes, able to quickly adjust their thinking without drama when proven wrong; directly focused on the factuality and relevance of information (and generally ignoring the “irrelevant” factor of who is conveying the information or why). See also the Spotting Te/Ti article.
