The format of the book begins by reviewing the concepts of temperament as developed by Linda Berens. The concepts are expanded to see the temperaments through the lens of intelligence. The two page descriptions of each temperament as were given in An Introduction to Temperament 2.0 (2000) are now expanded to four pages. One new page is devoted to the two directing types and the other additional page to the informing types of each of the four temperaments. It looks at how the two types learn and their preferred cognitive strategies. E.g. the Rational temperament can be expanded into four psychological types including INTJ/ENTJ, both are directing types and both prefer Foreseeing - Ni and Organizing - Te. The other two types INTP/ENTP are the informing types and both prefer Inferring - Ne and Analysing - Ti.
The theory of multiple intelligences is described. The eight intelligences are: verbal-linguistic, musical-rhythmic, visual-spatial, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, naturalist, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Although these intelligences are often used in combination, they are relatively discrete independent abilities and would seem to be related to discrete areas of the brain. These are the intelligences that have been defined so far. There may be others.
Each of the eight intelligences is described and examples are given with some exercises for the reader to help understand the concept. Then each intelligence is related to the four temperaments. Each temperament will express the intelligence in a unique way.
The concluding section of the book looks at intelligence as consciousness. While the concepts presented are clear, I find there is so much here that requires more study and an immersion in the concepts before I can have a grasp of the topics to describe them, at least in an abbreviated form like a book review. One intriguing feature is the philosophies of life. It describes eight metaphysical life philosophies and asks you to rate each one as it relates to your own beliefs. In the appendix we are told that these relate to the eight functions. (Whenever you come across four or eight of anything, ask yourself could this relate to temperament or the mental functions.)
This book takes temperament, multiple intelligences, systems theory and linguistics and combines them into a unified whole. Even if you don’t feel you would lead a workshop on the topic of multiple intelligences, this is a very worthwhile book for your overall personal and professional development. I hope that Dario Nardi will give professional training on the use of these concepts. I want to go to it.