Concept in Definition ABC

He is a character that manifests patience and tranquility of reasoning, who does not feel the influence of time or the questioning looks on his shoulders, because he is decisive with respect to his convictions and choices.

Sherlock Holmes and James Bond, two English phlegmatic

Sherlock Holmes is the fictional character who starred in the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle. He is an English detective, calculating, patient and unemotional. He stands out for his deductive reasoning and by his keen observation skills. He is a refined individual in his traditionsHe likes to smoke a pipe and is fond of chemistry and beekeeping. In Conan Doyle's narratives he appears as a misogynistic man.

The James Bond character created by Ian Fleming is a British officer of the Service of Intelligence. In novels and movies he appears as an elegant and reserved individual. Although he is a bold man, he never loses his temper (in the most difficult moments he maintains his composure and uses his fine irony against his enemies).

Like Sherlock Holmes, Agent 007 is also a misogynist man (his misogyny is fully compatible with your skill to seduce women). In any case, both represent the idea of ​​English phlegm.

Theory of humors in Hippocrates

When talking about temperament phlegmatic or any other, we must go back to the creator of the first "scientific" vision on this matter, the Greek physician Hippocrates (460 - 370 BC. C).

Opposing the mythological tradition that attributed the human temperament to the influence of the gods, Hippocrates established a rational criterion. Thus, he understood that the health and temperament of each individual depended on the Balance between four fluids or humors: black bile, blood, yellow bile, and phlegm.

Those individuals in whom black bile predominates have a melancholic, calm and thoughtful temperament. Those who have excess blood in their bodies will be dynamic and active people, but with a certain inclination to exaggeration. If yellow bile is predominant, this produces a personality angry, passionate and prone to impatience.

Finally, if the predominant liquid is phlegm, a peaceful, serene and conciliatory temperament manifests, although it can also express a tendency to passivity and indecision.

Advantages of being phlegmatic and some disadvantages

By not taking things too seriously, the phlegmatic usually leads a relaxed and smooth life. With her calm attitude she avoids impulsive and angry reactions. Due to your natural tendency to reflection, it is very difficult for you to make decisions in a hasty way or lose control of yourself.

As a consequence of her mild temperament, she has a certain facility for making friends and for social relations. It is difficult for him to make big mistakes, since he takes on the role of a spectator who observes everything that happens around him but without committing himself.

Despite their tendency to balance and serenity, the phlegmatic has difficulty enjoying emotions intensely. On the other hand, his phlegm usually translates into a lack of ambition.