Fifteen

09/29/2025

Imagine a man on a deserted island, alone from birth to death.

I asked the wizard which of the big 5 psychological traits still pertain.

Openness stays. He tries things, or he doesn’t. He cuts new tools or he repeats the same habits.

Conscientiousness too: some huts are neat, some are rotten.

Extraversion and Agreeableness can’t be measured. You can’t be charming or cooperative when there is no one to charm, nothing to cooperate with.

Finally, there’s Neuroticism. Arguably he could worry himself sick about tomorrow’s fishing catch. But with no-one there to notice, are there any measurable consequences?

That’s coming from me of course. I’m not particularly neurotic and I’ve always found it fascinatingly comfortable to watch those that are. I see it as a disease of the mind, the biggest consequence being that the sufferer can be thoroughly disliked. 

Which implies there’s another hidden psychological dimension; the reflection of these 5 traits in the eyes of others.

Not the traits themselves, but their reflection. Discipline looks like order to some, pedantry to others. Openness, either imagination or instability. Agreeableness, kindness or weakness. The trait and its shadow, depending on who is watching.

Then there’s the perception of the perception of others, which also impacts mental health. Madness  isn’t just “what I am,” but also “what you think I am” and “what I think you think I am.”

So I’m going with 15.