Temperament may
essentially refer to one's natural disposition...
"The variable
inclinations to, aversions from, feelings and capabilities, accorded to each
individual by nature." (Catholic Dictionary)
As defined...
"TEMPERAMENT.
That complexity of inclinations derived from heredity and a person's own organic
and nervous system. These natural dispositions can be changed to some extent by
education, by external circumstances and by a person's own endeavours — this is
Character. By temperament and character the moral freedom of the will is often
lessened but never altogether taken away; hence it is that a man can always
successfully act against his evil inclinations." (Catholic Dictionary)
The four 'fundamental
temperaments' are...
* choleric (e.g. action-oriented)
* melancholic (e.g. introverted/analytical)
* phlegmatic (e.g. calm/peaceful)
* sanguine (e.g. social/'people person')
Note that
classifications may vary and that persons may not fit precisely in one single
temperament (or "personality type"), but rather be a combination or two or more
temperaments. Furthermore, it should be noted that temperaments are only
dispositions – persons have free will and are responsible for their behavior
regardless of their natural temperament.
+ + +
"Whatever
be the true physiological explanation, the fourfold classification seems fairly
to represent certain markedly contrasted types of disposition, though they leave
room for subdivision and intermediate forms. Moreover, though scientists are
still far from being agreed as to the precise elements in the organism on which
temperament depends, the fact that different forms of temperament have an
organic basis seems certain." (Catholic Encyclopedia)
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