The classification of people into concepts of type is a basic part of human thinking. The philosopher archetype is one of the typological orientations and is mentioned in the Enneagram (ancient Greek for ‘something written’). Philosophers are fragile if they don’t find their field. The tension within Philosophers lies between the earthly and spiritual space. They see things from a distance, which often causes them to be confused with the Saint archetype. But unlike Saints, they have no special access to perception. Their task is also very different. Philosophers’ strength lies buried in their thoughts. If they link these with feelings, they grow beyond themselves and can touch the world with their works. If they reject feelings then they become increasingly ossified. Their works lose traction and can no longer be understood by anyone else, either partly or in whole, at which point they lose themselves too easily in bitterness and suffer as a result. This is their type of battle against themselves. So their task is to come together with their feelings and express their thoughts for the enrichment of others. More in-depth information about the archetypes is provided in the LEADERSHIP Workshop ‘Recognising and Practising Leadership Types’.
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