Passion and Fixation

The passion of avarice emerges as a deep, compulsive need to hold onto the limited resources one believes they possess, whether emotional or intellectual, as a way to cope with a profound sense of loss and separation. The E5 distances themselves from both their feelings and others, fearing that any connection might intensify their needs or expose their vulnerability. This drive to conserve leads them to invest in intellectual pursuits as a substitute for emotional connection, using knowledge as a means to fill the void left by their perceived emptiness and detachment.

The fixation of isolation manifests in the E5 as a tendency to detach not only from others but also from their own internal experiences. This creates a self-imposed separation between their emotional and intellectual worlds, preventing them from integrating their feelings and thoughts. Their interactions are meticulously categorized and constrained, as they limit relationships to avoid emotional confusion or dependency. This compartmentalization extends beyond their social connections, isolating even their personal experiences and creating a rigid divide between their inner life and external reality.

Traits

Retentiveness manifests in a tendency to hold onto resources, thoughts, and emotions, often leading to a lack of generosity in time, money, and energy. This rigidity is not limited to physical possessions but extends to mental processes, where individuals struggle to let go of ongoing thoughts or transitions. This holding-on behavior creates a subtle mental inflexibility, limiting openness to new experiences and ideas. Such traits often stem from a preference for self-sufficiency and a pessimistic outlook about receiving help or care from others. Retentiveness reflects an underlying fear of loss and a desire to extract every ounce of significance from one environment.

The avoidance of commitment reflects a reluctance to give, driven by a need for freedom and autonomy. Individuals exhibit behaviors that suggest a desire to remain unbound, preserving their resources for future use. This hoarding mentality is both a reflection of avarice and a projection of this trait into the future to prevent being left without. There is also an underlying fear of being consumed or overwhelmed by others, reinforcing the preference for independence. This trait combines a desire for self-possession with a protective stance against perceived threats to autonomy.

Pathological detachment arises from a perceived necessity to withdraw from relationships to preserve limited resources, emotional or otherwise. Individuals with this trait often isolate themselves, valuing solitude over emotional connection, and do not experience significant loneliness due to their resignation to relational difficulties. This detachment involves the repression of relational needs and a reduction of emotional expression, particularly anger. The inhibition of needs and emotions reinforces the distance from others, fostering a schizoid tendency to minimize vulnerability. Ultimately, detachment reflects a deep-seated reluctance to engage due to fears of dependency and loss of autonomy.

The fear of engulfment stems from a suppressed need to relate, combined with an apprehension of dependency on others. This fear drives individuals to avoid relationships and maintain distance, prioritizing personal boundaries over emotional connection. Sensitivity to interference and external demands often leads to self-suppression, as individuals compromise their spontaneity to meet perceived expectations. This results in a strong emphasis on solitude, where they seek to recover their sense of self. The stress of relationships, which alienate them from their authentic needs and preferences, reinforces their withdrawal into aloneness as a protective measure.

Autonomy is both a core need and an idealized trait for those who have given up on relationships. To maintain independence, individuals develop a self-reliant mindset, striving to fulfill their needs without external support. This self-sufficiency is often metaphorically described as building an ivory tower stocked with internal resources. Autonomy is further reinforced by the repression of desires and a philosophy of minimal reliance, valuing thinking, waiting, and enduring as virtues. This idealization helps maintain emotional distance while supporting a lifestyle focused on personal strength and resilience over relational dependence.