Loading ...
Another light and fun post suggested by Catherina Dallasensis: were you aware that the only psychological system ever approved by traditional Catholic teaching is the categorization of one’s Temperament? It can be quite helpful in one’s personal and spiritual life to know what sort of vices and errors — as well as virtues and benefits — you may be temperamentally inclined towards. Are you Sanguine (as is this author), or perhaps Melancholic, Phlegmatic, or Choleric? It’s a useful categorization scheme and its deep roots in history save it from simply becoming another form of the sort of pop psychological nonsense so common today.
The only downside is that the only free and complete temperament test online is available only here, through CatholicMatch.com, a Catholic dating service. One need not pay or engage their services to take the test, but they do request rather a lot of personal info.
On the other hand, visiting this site gave me, at least, the distinct surprise of discovering that Michael S. Rose, of Goodbye! Good Men fame, has a regular dating advice and social analysis column for the Catholic Match magazine! My favorite was an article on Catholic small talk.
St. Louis-Marie de Montfort,
Pope St. Pius X,
St. Joseph,
St. Ambrose of Milan,
St. Thomas Aquinas,
St. Francis (and St. Clare),
St. Catherine of Siena,
St. Alphonsus Ligouri,
St. John Chrysostom,
It makes sense, homes.
I wondered how you were good with meeting folks — Mr. Sanguine. I am not. I have Padre Pio’s temperment, however. I am, according to that website 75% melancholic and 25% choleric. But that, interestingly, means apparently that I am a deeply romantic person…hehe.
Ok, enough Tobias Petrus inspired personal details…
Your link to that Michael Rose article “Catholic Small Talk” was interesting, and made me think of my “Good day” response which was later linked to Paul Harvey.
In any case that “Good day” usage did not consider Paul Harvey but the eccentric and silly goofball of “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.”
“Ok, enough Tobias Petrus inspired personal details…”
Hah, hah.
It’s spelled “temperament” (note the silent “a”).
Maybe Dr. White was right about modern universities! They don’t teach spelling! ;-)
whoops.
Thanks, anonymous! It’s been corrected now.
Hmm, so I finally took this, and they told me I was a melancholic/phlegmatic. Reading their description, I don’t find that terribly apt, but whatever. I find it interesting to ponder the pairings that are contained within these divisions. Some seem insightful, others less satisfactory. For example, in the sanguine/melancholic division, there seems to be a general understanding that people who are optimistic and generally satisfied with life tend also to be extroverted. Is that so? I don’t think I’m exactly extroverted, but I’m not morose either.
Taking such tests is inevitably dissatisfying since you often tend to feel that the appropriate answer just isn’t available. For example, on the question about making important decisions, the two main types were: makes decisions rapidly and decisively, or else agonizes and deliberates and still isn’t happy with the choice.
How about: I think for as long as I need to and don’t like to be rushed. But when I do decide, I am content with my decision.
Anyway, this was a fun little diversion.
Oh my gosh, I am within one percent of Johnboy’s personality profile! I’m 76% melancholic and 24% choleric. Once you read the description, you may see why we get along so famously. ;)