The Judging Function and Human Values

 
Judging and Human Values

What is Judging as a Function?

How we make decisions is based on the information we take in. We have preferences for deciding: one by logical analysis and another by way of our values, and the impact any decision making will have on other people. One form of decision making is final and completely decided. The other form is flexible and open to last-minute changes.

Judging wants the external world organised and orderly. Judging looks at that world and sees diecisions that need to be made. Judging makes plans about how to manage the extraverted environment. Having establised a plan, judging wants things to move along in accordance with that plan. Juedging wants things settled. In short, judging wants to form and expreess judgements about the world.

We operate out of a Judging attitude when we:

• make a plan for the day;
• decide what we will eat during the week; make up a shopping list and visit the supermarket;
• organise others to get a job done;
• move a conversation to closure so we can go on to another topic and settle that one;
• express a judgement;

 

Coda:
There are two pulls within us as decision making people. One is orderly and finalized; the other, as we said earlier, is open ended and flexible. We all have these two pulls within. When we want things settled, we feel the need to make and follow plans. There are also times when we want to go with the flow of things; when we want to wait to decide until we have more information. There are times when we want to explore options. There are times when we want to judge things, and there are times when we want to understand things.

For most people, we prefer one or another directly. Others are fence-sitters and can choose to make the matter final, or be open and flexible. So we don’t always take up these ways of deciding matters in the world equally. Usually, we prefer one or the other.

Characteristics associated with people who prefer Judging:

• Scheduled
• Organise their lives
• Systematic
• Methodical
• Make Short and Long-Term plans
• Like to have things decided
• Try to avoid last minute stress

The Judging Function and Human Values

People who prefer to use their Judging process in the outer world like to live in a planned , orderly way, seeking to regulate and manage their lives. They want to make a decision, come to closure and move on. Their lives tend to be structured and organised, and they like to have things settled. Sticking to a plan and schedule is very important to them and they are energised by getting things done.

Judging types often find other judging types comfortable to be with. They respect each other’s need for having things settled. They help each other meet those needs. When judging types do not get along, there is often a clash between equally rigidly held judgements. When judging types disagree, they often simply repeat their judgements—louder. They can often fall apart because their plans or schedules clash and neither is willing to budge.

Judging types can be very clear in their minds what is Truth and what truth embraces: integrity, reasoning, focus, sincerity. Right conduct is the sine-qua-non of Judging activity – for activity always follows a plan. That plan is a duty, a determination, a responsibility and a discipline. From this, flows Peace, self-respect and self-confidence. The judging function can include appreciation of others and their needs, and kindness towards them. Judging expressed as Non-violence has concern for all life, self-control, justice and fairness.