Passion In The Sphere Of Instinct: How Lust Works In The Social Subtype

When lust is associated with the social instinct, we can say that we find a character that seems contradictory (the countertype): a “social antisocial,” as Claudio Naranjo defines it. A person who is concerned with and interested in social matters, but who stands against social norms, as they are seen as false and unjust. Rebellious and nonconformist, they invest their energy in wanting the world to move according to their desires, and above all, in fighting hypocrisy and established authority. Their wounds and life story lead them to identify with the excluded, marginalized, and oppressed, driven by the impulse to rescue them and return to them the power they rightfully deserve.

As children, they often experienced the injustices of life: poverty, social humiliation, or abuse, and took on the mission of opposing and defending the world from these tyrannies. This mission manifests as a vibrant and direct impulse, one that harbors no doubt, capable of moving things, life, anything... The activation of that intense energy is full of enthusiasm, ideals, and power. But a Social Eight is, in itself, a contradiction in terms; it is like a child who became violent defending his mother from his father’s violence, or from social, oppressive, and humiliating violence. His violence arises from solidarity, which leads to a protective attitude toward the unprotected.

Lust, in the Social Eight, is infused with a heroic narrative. This subtype does not seek only physical pleasure or erotic intensity, but a kind of epic frenzy: they need to feel that their life is in service of something greater, of a cause. Vital excitement is reached in the struggle against injustice, in confrontation with corrupt power, in transgressing tyrannical norms. This is a type that delights in confrontation, that becomes inflamed in conflict, that feels alive when there are enemies to point out and structures to subvert. Hence their lust has an expansive, insatiable character — not only physical, but also political, ideological, and existential.

“For years I’ve been working on moderating my excessive expenditure of energy on social struggles and directing part of that energy toward personal

things, like my books, which are also activist in nature. But in 2015, when fascism and the military began to take control again in Brazil, the core pillar of my ego awoke like a giant. Those were years of internal tension in the face of the social dangers that were emerging in Brazil. The social sphere captures me with a life-or-death urgency.” — Evânia

An almost invisible line separates the virtue of enthusiasm from the passion of lust. In an instant, the blood fills with adrenaline and, as if it were a stimulating drug, this person seeks more and more. It’s the same good, vital energy that grows and, without borders or limits, transforms into an overwhelming, dominant force that overflows its surroundings and often runs over others — and oneself. That happens in romantic and friendly relationships, at work, in everything.

Lust then becomes an unstoppable drive toward action. It’s not enough to feel indignation — one must act; it’s not enough to sense injustice — one must denounce it. That’s why the Social Eight is always mobilized, always ready to take one more step, to go further, to embody their personal version of justice. This compulsion to act, although it may have positive social effects, often comes with a disdain for pause, listening, or deep reflection. Contemplation has no place when the blood is boiling.

Thus, lust is intense in the social sphere when there is an imperative to denounce and attempt to transform what is unjust — hypocrisies, lies, and social injustices. It is their way of redeeming the abuse of power they experienced in childhood.

Social Eights devote much of their energy to carrying out projects for social transformation: social inclusion, deep change on educational, cultural, and ecological levels... And they don’t give up, don’t stop, don’t stay silent, and go beyond the point where they should stop. In the political arena, they act by constantly denouncing what is wrong, directly and relentlessly. Authority, of course, is seen as abusive and exploitative — the same authority they knew as children, when they lacked the power to oppose it. Therefore, any institution or person in a position of command is a potential enemy and a danger; only they themselves can ensure a “just” authority.

The inner world of the Social Eight is marked by a structural distrust of everything established. Every rule is suspicious, every power illegitimate, every institution guilty until proven otherwise. This combative outlook, fueled by the passion of lust, leads to a constant state of inner mobilization — of vigilance, of being on guard. In many cases, this attitude leads to a form of structural loneliness: even when surrounded by people, they feel that only they see what others don’t, only they have the courage to speak out, only they are the guardians of the truth.

“From a very young age, I realized that nothing in the world was right — that everyone accepted absurd rules without protest, that aggression was the most common form of relationship. I never liked keeping quiet when I saw abuse, and sometimes I resorted to physical force to stop an aggressor. I don’t trust authority, or the police, because I’ve seen too many times how they abuse their power. Sometimes I feel very alone in how I see the world.” — Henrique

Many times, from childhood, people of this character began working, supporting their families, and taking on adult roles — positions of command and authority at home. In the social subtype, this intolerance of being subordinate finds its outlet in becoming the leader of groups: they claim their power and expect unquestioned recognition from the group. Moreover, they protect their group according to what they believe others need and, in return, demand and expect unconditional loyalty. The world is divided between “their own” and everyone else. As with other subtypes, possessing others is a condition for feeling acknowledged. Lacking empathy, they don’t ask what others want; the truth is, they “know” — or so they believe — and their actions, whether good or harmful, must have no limits.

In daily life, the lust of the Social Eight doesn’t only manifest in the fight against great systems or structures, but also in small gestures: in the need to lead any group they join, to impose their viewpoint, to ensure that dynamics follow their values. This tendency to appropriate their environment can generate admiration and respect but also fear and rejection, since the overflowing energy of the Social Eight destroys whatever lies in its path when not moderated.

People who recognize themselves in this character have protagonism built into them. Adrenaline fuels their intensity, both in pleasure and in pain. It’s an impulsive character: any idea or emotion must immediately take shape in concrete action, justified by the “absolute truth” of their ideals. Although their critiques can be highly valuable, the behavior of this subtype is exaggerated — too forceful, relentless, engaged in a constant struggle to change the world according to what they think it should be, obviously without feeling the need to listen to other perspectives, which they assume are false, deceitful, or self-serving.

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In moments when their power is at stake, they are perfectly capable of abandoning good civic activism so their ego can take control: full of “good reasons” and convinced they are delivering justice, they throw themselves mercilessly into exposing what’s wrong.

“In family, friendship, and work relationships, I act by working hard, but also by creating spaces of pleasure — parties, gatherings... I love being with people and offering them moments of great joy, of connection, of celebrating life,

friendship, and love within our family. After the party, I need to withdraw into silence, alone.” — Evânia

Among Eights, the social subtype is the most intellectual — which in this case must be understood as a quest aimed at realizing their ideals of justice. They often describe themselves as “champions of justice.” This subtype is also marked by a cultural drive and an interest in knowledge, as long as it aligns with their ideal of changing the world.

This intellectual development doesn’t necessarily imply mental flexibility. Rather, the Social Eight accumulates readings, data, and theories as weapons for their battles. Culture is an instrument of struggle. Information is a tool for confrontation. Erudition is a shield used to defend against vulnerability.

The problem is that their ideals, however respectable they may seem, are tainted by the impulse toward domination and revenge. Revenge — which we’ll discuss later — can be cruel and devastating, as it serves to keep their very identity in balance and prevents them from touching repressed and dissociated sensitive parts: fragility, low self-esteem, and feelings of humiliation.

“I have always felt that I came into this world to fight injustice. I studied philosophy, history, politics... not out of love for knowledge, but because I needed to understand the system in order to confront it. When I was young, I used to be very intense. Anger gives me strength, and knowledge gives me weapons.” — Henrique

Ultimately, lust in the Social Eight builds a strong, impetuous, courageous personality — but also one that is closed off, dominant, and emotionally blind to its own vulnerability. It is a character that lives in constant tension, trapped in a logic of strength and combat, where any sign of fragility is seen as a threat and any pause as a waste of time. Their world is perceived through the lens of confrontation, and their identity is reinforced by the intensity of action, struggle, and conquest.