Daniel Jackson’s MBTI type has long been debated among Stargate SG-1 fans. In Stargate SG-1, portrayed by Michael Shanks, Daniel consistently demonstrates the insight and empathy of an INFJ, alongside the principled conviction of an Enneagram 1w2. His ability to intuit hidden patterns, advocate for others, and stand firm in his moral beliefs makes him one of the most compelling personality studies in the series.
INFJ 1w2 Characters
Why is Daniel Jackson from Stargate SG-1 an INFJ? Continue reading for my argument using cognitive functions! The headers for each section are clickable, so you can easily access more information about the dominant function and the Enneagram type, or discover more characters who share the type.
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Introverted Intuition
In an early introduction to Daniel Jackson, we find out he has been an Egyptologist developing a theory about an alien race having built the pyramids and influenced humanitarian thought; this race turns out to be the Goa’uld, which means his instincts were right (and are still right, in an alternate timeline where he never joined the Stargate Program).
Throughout the series, he intuitively pieces together specific events and predictions, based on whatever pattern is happening in front of him. In one episode, he figures out that the alien who takes him captive has a way of communicating and how to “talk to him”; their friendship provides the later basis for freeing that alien’s species from a slavery planet. In another late-season episode, Daniel is asking questions of the Atlantis computer, and he intuitively realizes that he is actually talking to a living Ancient—to Morgana, who inspired the legend of King Arthur, even though his companions argue with him it is just a hologram with a prerecorded set of answers. Again, he is correct. It is Morgana, an ascended Ancient, whose help he tries to solicit in moving against the Ori.
Elsewhere, he often accurately theorizes about the races they encounter, the technology and what it is capable of, and figures out alien languages and Ancient computer systems, without much previous knowledge to go off of; he grasps the meaning and the patterns before anyone else, and cannot fully explain how he knows; he just does.
Once Daniel becomes an ascended being, his thinking shifts toward big-picture philosophies and existential meaning. This puts him at odds with Jack O’Neill, because Daniel is interested in helping his friend “ascend” (the one thing he is allowed to do as an Ascended being) whereas Jack just wants Daniel to release him from his imprisonment; to Jack, an ESTP, a physical action is required, rather than a bunch of philosophical “nonsense” about existing on another dimensional plane.
He is so good at pattern-reading and posing credible hypothetical scenarios that the team often defers to him when it comes to interpretations. And his visions and explanations are often singular, rather than tolerant of alternative worldviews (which makes him different from Samantha Carter, who will pose one theory, and then build off it into another one while problem-solving).
In dealing with the Ori, Daniel focuses on dismantling their faith system from within, by figuring out their intentions and exposing the people who worship them to an alternate point of view; he thinks he can turn the tide in their favor through insight rather than simple violence. Daniel also understands that “faith” is more powerful than anything else in the universe, and motivates people to do terrible things in the name of their “god.”
Extroverted Feeling
When Sam gets to an alternate world early in SG-1, she tries to change its thinking about women to a more feminist stance; but Daneil has a deep respect for how each civilization operates and prefers a less critical approach. He argues they must respect local traditions and beliefs to connect to the people, and then later they can influence their thinking, but feels it is important not to alienate them with polarizing views up front. This is Fe respecting other cultures and seeing value in them, because if a society has adopted it, it must hold meaning and value even if I disagree with it.
When Teal’c is put on trial, Daneil insists on respecting an alien culture’s justice system and abiding by its rules when making his arguments. He cares deeply about his friend, but does not want to cause offense. Even when he acts out of character, under the influence of alien technology, his emotional bonds and concern for the welfare of his friends still motivates him. Numerous times, Daniel advocates for conversations and finding middle ground over violent confrontations, and he humanizes their enemies when others want to destroy them. In the case of two rival societies, Daniel tries to act as a mediator to bring peace, and uses humanitarian arguments (“they are similar to you,” “is not the value of human life…?”). He always prioritizes the human or moral cost of any decision and tries to focus people on an outcome that benefits everyone involved, which is healthy Fe.
Introverted Thinking
Daniel doesn’t need to prove his theories for them to be sound, as long as they seem internally consistent. His views about the Goa’uld and the Ori remain consistent. He thinks if he can alter another race’s thinking, by reaching them with moral, philosophical, and logical arguments, he can change the situation with something other than brute force. Daniel is good at constructing legal arguments and/or reasons to justify his decisions, even if Jack does not agree with them at the time; he abides by the rules of Ascension, but later comes to question them and challenge an Ascended being, as he debates and critiques the moral blind spots in allowing Apophis to Ascend.
Given enough time to study and think, Daniel can interpret runes, figure out symbols, hack into systems, and understand ancient dialects and languages.
Extroverted Sensing
In intense situations, Daniel sometimes acts recklessly or impulsively, by putting himself at risk to save his friends (rushing into a flooded area, or staying behind in a collapsing cave to finish interpreting symbols). He walks into danger unprepared, because it caught him off guard. In earlier seasons, he is somewhat oblivious to his environment and struggles to pivot when a situation escalates, but in later seasons, he becomes more competent with dealing with dangerous situations. Daniel even goes undercover on a Goa’uld ship as a servant to gain information, knowing that he could be recognized, his cover blown, and he might wind up enslaved or killed. He rushes in to try and save his wife a few times, despite knowing she is infected with a Goa’uld. Eventually, unable to stand aside and see humanity destroyed, he breaks the rules of Ascension and intervenes, being sent back to earth in human form as his punishment. He later Ascends a second time, and is told if he returns to being human again, he will not be given a third chance to Ascend. Daniel thinks this is worth the risk, and agrees to it.
The Enneagram 1
Daniel is the voice of moral reason on the SG-1 team, always objecting to what others are doing and attempting to encourage them to focus on what is good and ideal in the situation. He cares about what is “right” and “moral” all the time. If the other want to leave a dying planet, and Daniel feels that the right thing to do is to try and save them, he will stay behind or advocate for doing all they can before the planet implodes.
His clashes with authority come from him not liking their stance or moral attitude about something, and him being unwilling to back down from his position. In his mind, if it’s wrong, he cannot advocate for it. It does not matter if it gets him a reprimand or fired; there are no compromises when it comes to upholding one’s moral integrity.
When Ascended, Daniel holds himself to a rigorous standard of behavior and abides by the rules. He refuses to bend or break them for any reason, even when Jack gets upset with him. To him, Ascension is a beautiful, perfect thing, of transcending your earthly form and achieving a higher state of being—but what good is it, if you cannot do what is right for the people left behind?
Daniel sometimes moralizes at the others, reminding them of their responsibilities and urging them to do what is right. He clashes with Vala because she is a 7w8 with very few scruples, who likes to tease him with innuendo and misbehavior.
The 2 Wing
When Jack wants him to help him break out of prison on a Goa’uld ship, Daniel offers him what he thinks Jack needs, rather than what he wants: the secrets of Ascention. He tries to teach Jack how to Ascend and have control over his mental and spiritual body. 2s typically give you what they have to offer, and what they think that you could benefit from, rather than giving you what you ask for. In this way, he’s ignoring what Jack wants from him, in favor of his own preferences and priorities. This is part of the pride of being a 2 winger.
His entire mission, with his wife, his friends, and the Stargate program, is driven by love, personal connections, and his desire to help other planets and races. He cares about people deeply, and tries to be there for them in their time of need. Daniel is quite good at making friends even with hostile races, and seeing them from a human perspective. He advocates for innocent populations by focusing on their suffering and what he can do to alleviate it.
