Interpersonal Strategy And Associated Irrational Ideas

The following describes how the Self-Preservation 7 builds their philosophy of life. The misinterpretation of reality sustains their passion (in this case, gluttony). It becomes a fixation: a subjective cognitive vision that neurotically appears objective to the individual, serving as support and justification for gluttony. This is the distorted cognitive core from which irrational beliefs and ideas derive. We will focus on the most typical traits of the Self-Preservation 7.

Oscar Ichazo defined the cognitive world and relationship style of E7 as "charlatanism." The first time Ichazo spoke of protoanalysis, he used the word charlatan to refer to the individual of Enneatype VII and the word charlatanism to refer to the fixation. This word should not be taken literally: the glutton is someone who approaches the world through words and good reasons, manipulating others with intellect. Ichazo later described this personality, or ego-plan, as a dreamer. His quackery can be interpreted as taking (and offering) dreams as realities.

For Naranjo, the term "planning" to define the fixation of E7 is not entirely fitting, as it is also a prominent feature of Enneatypes I and III. However, quackery carries additional meanings, such as expressive ability and the role of persuader and manipulator of words, which allow the E7 to exceed the limits of their knowledge. More than a mere planner, Enneatype VII is an intriguer with the strategic character symbolized by La Fontaine's fox.

"Planning" evokes the E7’s tendency to live through projects and fantasies, often substituting action for imagination. Thus, terms such as "quackery" and even "fraudulence" better describe this character, highlighting the insatiability shared by gluttons and the lustful. This is especially true for the Self-Preservation 7 subtype, who, like social E8s, cultivates complicity. The word that best defines the fixation of Enneatype E7 is self-indulgence, closely linked to permissiveness with fraud and cheating, which is especially typical of the Self-Preservation 7.

A fundamental trait of E7 is permissiveness or indulgence, which I take to be the essence of gluttony. Since this self-indulgence would be impossible without the imposition of the superego or submission to authority, this character is rebellious—though sometimes in a soft or diplomatic way. Interestingly, self-indulgence is described by some sources as a feeling of pity toward oneself in response to situations perceived as adverse.

"I wanted to be, deep down, a victim of the situation and overcompensated by seeing myself as deserving of condolences." Psychoanalysis views self-indulgence as a hyper-cathartic reaction that brings pleasure and pain, and is linked to the search for personal comfort. Not surprisingly, Sufi master Hazrat Inayat Khan states that self-indulgence is the cause of all life's complaints.

Self-Indulgence in the Conservative Instinct

The key to self-indulgence in the Self-Preservation 7 lies in the attitude toward life. "What I need—actually, rather than 'what I want'—is what I take because I deserve it, having left a situation of handicap that I must compensate for, even if by cheating." Or, "I will compensate thanks to the tricks I’ve learned, since I am intelligent." This implies not facing things head-on, but usually through subterfuge or tricks. It also implies associations with accomplices, whom the E7 will treat with indulgence.

In this subtype, the mixture of self-indulgence, permissiveness, fraudulence, implication, and materialism makes the typical hedonism of the E7 even stronger than in any other character. Self-indulgence gives E7s the necessary reinforcement in feeling entitled to gratification. This is very much related to the playboy/playgirl orientation toward life, especially in the Self-Preservation 7, as well as the exaggerated sense that all is well—a

protection of hedonism against pain and frustration. An optimistic attitude that not only makes him and others feel okay, but also makes the world a good place to live.

All of this, mixed with the typical E7 vision of a world without good or evil, guilt, obligations, or duties—where simply enjoying is enough—creates a predatory attitude bordering on lust. If the Self-Preservation 7 does not allow everything, absolutely everything, as the E8 does, it may be because their narcissism stops them (they care about "looking good"), their unconscious fear of punishment, and their family ties. The permissiveness and self-indulgence of gluttons are inseparable from the avoidance of suffering, and the hedonistic orientation is typical of this character.

For the self-indulgent, nothing is totally forbidden because there is a belief that authority is bad, and that anyone who is smart can do whatever they want. They also feel entitled to their talents and deeply believe that personal charm is the best way to succeed. In direct relation to self-indulgence, descriptors such as manipulation, fraudulence, and lying—especially in the context of scheming behavior—emerge. This includes greed (disguised), cunning, eloquence (charlatanism), seduction through intellect, cynicism, humor, rebellion, and lack of discipline.

Manipulative, Fraudulent Liar

Lying is a tool for self-indulgence. Lying and believing one's own lies (or pretending to believe them, depending on the degree of cynicism) is justified by lofty goals, helping others, saving oneself, or achieving social rights to satisfy unavoidable needs. Being an interesting storyteller, a rogue, a raconteur in the political sense, serves to convince others, to gain allies and supporters, whom the E7 persuades by promising to do the best for them. Thus, the Self-Preservation 7 achieves their goals not only by satisfying their needs or desires but also by nourishing their narcissism.

The Self-Preservation 7 is, more than any other E7, a fox who doesn't bother too much to hide his tail behind his sheep costume. This foxy passion for hiding is even more present in the more elusive Social 7, though the Self-Preservation 7 is more like a cheater. Mythomania, or compulsive lying, lurks in every E7, but especially in the Self-Preservation 7, due to their usual lack of moral restraints and defiance of established morality. They care little about the opinions of those who don’t matter to them—the majority.

Evidence of Fraudulence

With their tendency to merge into familial ties, the Self-Preservation 7 becomes prey to moral relativism that induces fraudulence. They do not respect the limits of law (the father), whether in personal relationships or often in social and professional settings. The fraudulent uses of the Self-Preservation 7 span a wide range—from large scams and pyramid schemes (e.g., Bernie Madoff) to smaller, more common emotional frauds in relationships.

Testimonies of Fraudulence

"I recognize in myself a special ability to take advantage of any situation, coupled with a large internal penalty for doing so. Between that and the fact that it feels natural to me, it’s been hard to qualify these acts as opportunistic, let alone fraudulent. I remember once, when I was twelve or thirteen years old, an important football match in my city. I bought a ticket in advance, intending to resell it on game day when there were no more left. But when I got there, there were still tickets available. I ended up selling it to an older man, who invited me to a drink after I sold it. I took the money and ran home."

“Opportunism was so well regarded, taught, and applauded at home, so intertwined with business, that it is almost impossible to see it as negative. Instead, it's viewed as being "ready," "savvy," "alive" — and those who don’t do it belong to the subgroup of the fools in this world. Life is about recognizing the opportunities that exist and taking advantage of them. You also have to get there first and brag about it. I used to be involved with auto shops and insurance companies. If a window on my car broke, instead of fixing it, I took it to a well-known workshop where a mechanic, another opportunistic family friend, handled it for me.

With the money the company assigned me for the new glass, they fixed a dent I had accidentally caused in a parking lot. Sometimes, if the expert was a friend of the mechanic, they would even pay me for a glass I hadn’t broken, and with that money, I took care of other repairs the car needed. This way, we all won. These scams required a lot of energy and time—calls, visits, manipulation, seduction, and forced smiles in a world of men.

It hasn't been easy to realize what I was losing by constantly being on high alert and in tension to take advantage and avoid looking like a fool. Now, I see how this behavior was also masking a feeling of lack, misery, and not deserving." (Concha)

“When I was fifteen, during the summer, I worked on the terrace of a bar. The work was hard and poorly paid, and the owner was the typical cheapskate, exploitative merchant with double chins. One day, a friend of my sister, who worked as a bartender in another bar, asked me how much money I earned over the weekend, including tips. I gave a figure much

higher than what he usually made. “I don’t believe it,” he said. “You can’t possibly be making that much.” “Yes, I can,” I replied. “And how do you do it?” “Very easily,” I proudly said. “I stop checking the box on one out of every ten orders.” Neither the waiter nor my sister could believe what they had just heard. “Are you stealing?” “Well, I wouldn’t call it that,” I said. “What I’m doing is charging myself for the surplus value.”

They exchanged a look and gave me a speech that managed to embarrass me: “If you’re not happy with what you’re paid, dare to tell Mr. X [the owner of the bar] that you want a raise. But don’t steal!” We all knew Mr. X would never raise my salary, so their suggestion wasn’t — let’s say, with the cynicism of character — very practical. However, what I took away wasn’t a moral lesson or a sudden regret at realizing my immoral action, but two things: a) it had been foolish to boast about stealing, and b) I began to consider it strange that it was seen as cowardice not to dare, not to tell Mr. X that his conditions seemed unfair, but rather to set fire to the bar with him and all his customers inside.” (Anonymous)

“When I was nine years old, I was at a friend’s house and saw a coin on the ground. I took it, hid it, and kept it with me. It was a lot of money for me. I hid that coin in a safe place outside my house, and bought sweets little by little, so no one would notice my first theft. I wasn’t bothered by any feeling of guilt, because that friend of mine was violent and deserved to be robbed.

Although I am an opportunist, I achieve my goals in a predominantly stealthy and covert manner. That way, I don’t expose my needs and interests — which I see as a disgusting display of lack — and I don’t end up owing anyone favors.” (Alexandre)

Second-rate narcissist

Whether through hoaxes, exaggerations, or inventions, their frauds aim not just to exploit, but also to fuel their narcissism. Anyone dining with a conservative E7 at a trendy restaurant is likely to hear things like: “Pierre was telling me the other day... Or Ferran, or Gastón.”

Beyond these megalomaniacal exaggerations, their illusions of success and grandeur, which come in manic phases, this character certainly knows how to mingle with important people — VIPs — whom he intellectually seduces, placing himself in a comfortable position next to them. This allows him to shine through others and often gain fortune and influence without exposing himself, thus freeing himself from the responsibilities and inconveniences fame or power bring.

When he boasts about his high-level contacts, he does so with feigned humility, subtly showing his ability to influence as a lady would drop a handkerchief.

His style is generous and refined, presenting himself as a being so delicate he’s never broken a plate: “When describing a character of this type among his characters, Elías Canetti observes that 'he doesn’t even let them offer him a cup of coffee.'”

“When it comes to business, I try to avoid it. To negotiate, I’d have to expose myself, and if the deal benefited me but hurt the other person, I’d be accused of free-riding and bad character. If the business was bad for me but good for the other person, I would still appear like an idiot. In short, concern for others’ opinions and reactions inhibits me in business. I am good at business when I’m in the dark, when I don’t need to expose myself.” (Alexandre)

In 27 Characters in Search of Being, Naranjo describes a character (this time a real one) quite similar to the pharmacist Homais from Madame Bovary. A friend of mine was a dentist for part of his life. He seemed like a kind, friendly, talkative person. Many dentists love their profession because they keep their clients’ mouths closed all the time, giving them the opportunity to talk as much as they want.

You may have met very talkative dentists. They may not even realize it; unconsciousness plays tricks on them. It’s typical of the Self-Preservation 7, who like to do something with their hands, something useful for others. They are practical. While talking endlessly, the Self-Preservation 7 quickly discovers the weaknesses of others. “I see you bought a new car, how’s it going?” says the dentist. “It’s an excellent car, I’m very happy with it,” replies the patient. “But unfortunately, I have to sell it.” “Ah, well,” the dentist takes advantage, “I’ll buy it from you!”

With the Self-Preservation 7, there seems to be no conversation that doesn’t turn into a deal. He’s so alert to opportunity that he never lets one slip by. His belief is that if you’re not alert, if you don’t keep your nose to the wind to catch opportunities, you’ll be a loser.

Somehow, the Self-Preservation 7 will actively and passively remind you that he is a genius, a wise man, the best adviser, and that you belong to a lower category of human beings: those who would pay for the life he leads, for being so charismatic, charming, and gifted with people skills; those who must be guided by intelligent people. Added to this, the Self-Preservation 7 often has aptitudes for complex thinking and a good nose for opportunities. And in itself, that is not a problem.

The problem arises when one becomes a free rider, when one fails to live or enjoy the moment for its own sake, but instead is always thirsty, acting as if the opportunity might slip away, relying on the distorted belief that it’s better not to miss the opportunity because nobody knows what tomorrow will bring. And in that, they forgive their own selfishness.

In short, the Self-Preservation 7 needs to distance themselves from anyone who’s not part of their “tribe” and place themselves above others, something that often earns them silent enmity from those who feel despised.

Cunningness

Don’t forget, the E7 is a crook (and even more so, the Self-Preservation 7) — a rogue. He has plenty of charm, or, as the Argentinians would say, blackmail (someone who’s reluctant to do something requiring effort or obligation, especially work, or who boasts about having something—skills, knowledge, or power—that they don’t really possess). All of this is typical of this speculative character. The distorted conviction underlying this attitude is: If I help you, I can ask you for a favor when I need it.

The Self-Preservation 7 is presented as the one who knows, the one who thinks. Their cunning is often as valued as it is admired by the unsuspecting. Cunning also relates to their ability to distract others from their true intentions or misdeeds. With cunning and seduction, they manage to win others’ forgiveness and approval, taking pleasure in their achievements, mistaking cleverness for intelligence. Trapping others in their nets boosts their narcissistic self-esteem; they are not interested in knowing the real feelings of others, their constant search is for satisfaction from their own abilities.

Paternalistic

By adopting a paternal role, they place themselves in a position of power and preeminence within their clan or social network. This makes them feel important and as though they belong. By overriding paternal authority — implicitly or explicitly supported by the mother — they imbue themselves with authority. “I take care of mother because if she’s ill, I am ill.” This removes ontic insecurity and the anguish of the absence of a father, either physically or emotionally, replacing it with a narcissistic self-ideal.

“I remember the negotiation with the company that bought the apartment building where I lived. They were trying to cancel our rental contracts with minimal indemnities, and soon I was leading the negotiation against these unfair speculators. In the end, we got some good results: decades-long neighbors could stay under the same conditions, others were compensated... Needless to say, I got everything I asked for, and the company was kind enough to keep me happy so I wouldn’t obstruct their plans. In the end, we all won, yes, but... which side was I really on? The company’s? The neighbors’? Mine, to be honest.” (David)

The self-concept can be that of someone who feels like a warm, disinterested benefactor, even of society, if the person lacks conscience. Mixed feelings often coexist, where the self-image of the protector merges with a certain resentment, whether conscious or not, of feeling "bad," selfish, and unclear in their relational dealings.

And perhaps it’s not so bad. Although this awareness of not being altruistic often leads the Self-Preservation 7 to justify themselves by thinking that the world is a battle, full of wolves, and that it’s better to be smarter than others to survive, the truth is that this awareness of being little altruistic in their actions can help them grow.

Consequences of Lack of Altruism

One consequence of this lack of altruism is the difficulty in truly listening. They may be good advisers, but with them, seeking a safe space to vent or simply to be heard can be challenging. Common responses include, "That's not a big deal," or "What you should do is...". Essentially, this tendency reflects a desire to shape others’ thoughts and desires in a way that benefits them, which again ties into utilitarianism and self-satisfaction. The other person is seen not as an independent individual but rather in terms of my own needs or desires. There is a wound in the ability to trust, leading them to not just control the other, but to manipulate them directly.

The World is (Also) a Dangerous Place

The struggle of the E7 is a "rebel without a cause to 'be well, that everything be well'." This low-intensity war is not just about frauds and lies but also involves ambiguity in discourse, elusive solutions, and, whenever possible, the avoidance of direct confrontation (although the E7 is the most confrontational).

The E7 fights against any form of authority, driven by a (not entirely) irrational belief that authority is the enemy of their greedy intentions and hedonistic orientation. They interpret authority as control, something that crushes their freedom. For the Self-Preservation 7, this conviction that the world—or, more specifically, the social order with the powerful at the forefront—is hostile, leads them to focus on Conservation. They think, "The world belongs to the smart ones," and act accordingly, working as much as possible to exploit the cracks in the system.

This individual’s accommodative tendencies are reinforced, often resembling a 19th-century rabble-rouser more than a 20th-century hippie. They are rebels, yes, but there’s a tendency for these ranks to also include individuals who live parasitically from the system:

speculators, tax fraudsters, freeloaders, swindlers, hedonists, journalists, court counselors, public relations, and propagandists. These individuals share a character closely related to the light attitude and intellectual superficiality of our time.

These are great manipulators, capable of diffusing any conflict around them thanks to their friendliness, affability, indulgence, and well-structured exculpatory justifications. In this process, the euphemization mechanism plays a dominant role.

The Mechanism of Euphemization

Alejandro Napolitano observes that in Enneagram E7, particularly in the Self-Preservation subtype, a surprising psychological procedure called euphemization occurs. Euphemization softens the harsh and trivializes the significant, making events seem innocuous and superficial. For instance, "naming descents" as a fall is a euphemism that removes the drama and intensity from an event, preventing full contact with reality. This damping process can be a defense mechanism, where anguish is transformed into contempt or mockery. A testimonial from a professional example illustrates this:

"Euphemization occurs frequently in the diplomatic field. I shifted from focusing on conflicts to specializing in the respectful, delicate, and considerate attacks within international human rights organizations. Although these discussions concern fundamental human rights violations, they are approached with cordiality and comfort, which is very convenient for Self-Preservation 7." (Alexandre)

In this sense, their cultivated loquacity (often paired with chattiness) plays a role. Their typical defense mechanism, rationalization, is fundamental here, as it involves attributing an admirable or more acceptable motivation to their own actions, essentially denying the greedy and exploitative aspects of their personality while projecting generosity, kindness, and helpfulness.

Cynicism

In the E7, there is a refusal to acknowledge the harshness of life or the inherent difficulties of a situation. They numb themselves from the uncomfortable reality with large doses of narcissistic and naïve idealism. However, in Transformative Self-Knowledge, the E7’s position is described as "idealistic opportunism," with the conservative variety accused of more pseudo-idealism.

The pathological optimism of the Enneagram E7, which can turn negative situations into something positive, takes on a dimension of a fake sales pitch in the case of the Self-Preservation 7. In fact, we could describe them as irredeemably anti-idealistic, capable of being very cynical and hurtful. And, of course, they don’t believe in anything or anyone, to the point where idealism might even be healing for them.

Still, the Self-Preservation 7 is anti-idealistic only to a certain degree. Their idealism manifests peculiarly—not as a utopian horizon but as the futurism of a pragmatic "visionary." Their anti-conventionalism about customs or ideas comes with a practical, applicable background, showing a disobedient Prometheus' arrogance.

However, whether their opportunistic or idealistic traits shine through, they conceal their own interests behind a facade of camaraderie, reminiscent of reaction formation—a defense mechanism. This is exemplified in Molière’s Tartuffe, where the parasite is disguised as a saint.

Strategy and Looting-Oriented

Talking about interpersonal strategy with the Self-Preservation 7 can be difficult because strategy is ingrained in their life. More than planners, they are plotters, often exceeding their knowledge with charlatanism. Their expressive ability and lack of moral boundaries make them very effective persuaders and manipulators. While planning is present in all E7 subtypes ("What wonderful things await me?" or "How can I convince others to join me?"), the specific form of planning for the Self-Preservation 7 revolves around strategy, persuasion, deception, and the need to be seen as smarter than others. Their core belief is, "If you're smart enough, you'll get what you want."

In the case of the Self-Preservation subtype, this anti-conventionalism takes on a marked strategic tone. The strategic vision is highly developed, much like La Fontaine's fox, with detours taken to achieve their goals. Their lack of altruism can sometimes be quite blatant—except when it comes to those they consider "their own."

Associated Irrational Ideas (Crazy Ideas)

Here is a list of phrases that a Self-Preservation 7 might tell themselves. These "crazy ideas" represent their distorted cognitive core of self-indulgence. By describing them, we gain insight into how this subtype interprets experiences. While not exhaustive, these ideas come from a working group of individuals of this nature:

"Above all, when it comes to hedonism, I think that, for cultural reasons, we have been criticized for what man has been extolled. The criticism is not only external but also self-directed, as I constantly question, 'How can I be happy in a world full of calamities? And when my mother is sick, what right do I have to seek happiness?' Somehow, my crazy ideas are always well thought out to look good, even when I do what I want." (María Marta)

1."If I'm honest, I'll miss out." 2."No one can be trusted." 3."That’s why I have to take care of everything." 4."If I play my cards right, I won’t be in need and I’ll have everything I need." 5."If I act well, I can fool them all." 6."My own can’t take care of their affairs, so I must save them from themselves." 7."Before giving to others, I think about what I get in return." 8."I do you favors, and you do me favors." 9."If you don’t get involved in my business, you don’t love me." 10."Blood ties are stronger than anything." 11."I know the truth and must convince them to stop being blind." 12."I can share my small doubts with others, but the big decisions I must make alone." 13."For every problem, there is at least one solution." 14."I only believe in what I see." 15."It’s better and faster to do things alone." 16."I can’t have patience with the dumb or the slow." 17."The world is too big and interesting to focus on one thing or one person." 18."Trust is like a crystal glass; once it breaks, there’s no gluing it back together." 19."Commitment is a prison for pleasure." 20."You must have friends, even in hell." 21."Giving life meaning doesn’t have a clear meaning, so my own life would be fiction." 22."Nothing matters too much; everything is relative." 23."We all have a price." 24."If I choose, I lose opportunities; if I leave it to the last minute, a better option might appear—one that benefits me more." 25."It’s best to get the exquisite one when it’s on sale." 26."If I commit, I am not free." 27."If I make people feel good, I win them over." 28."I don’t want to miss anything that feels like a delicacy." 29."I can handle everything."