Four-Philosophy Ensemble

This is a trope applying to the dynamics of groups of four. While the Four-Temperament Ensemble seeks to classify members by their personality, this trope classifies members by their outlook, or life philosophy, especially as demonstrated when the Group is faced by a problem or challenge.

Keep in mind that this trope crops up in more character-driven works and will probably be absent from a work where the group of heroes are more cohesive or single-minded. That is to say, if there isn't much argument within the group, then they never have much chance to demonstrate the differing traits making up this trope.

The dynamics for this trope are very effective because it combines the best parts of a Good Cop, Bad Cop or a Red Oni, Blue Oni binary (The Cynic vs. The Optimist) and a Power Trio (The Cynic - The Realist - The Optimist) placing the Realist in between the two opposing views, along with a fourth member (the Apathetic) to contrast all of them at once, including a fourth dimension to the argument, and even the potential for a fifth to be conflicted over the issue, often resulting in a Three Plus Two. All of this in a package that can even be coupled with the Four-Temperament Ensemble (or the Five-Temperament variant) for double the fun. This is some serious Cast Calculus. Basically the trope is this:

A Four Philosophy Ensemble is composed of...

• The Cynic
  • Common Attributes: logic, practicality, criticism, Reason Before Honor, free of guilt in doing what's necessary, Deadpan Snarker, hostility or antagonism, caution, skepticism, shoots first (might ask questions later), prioritizes survival over other goals, deadly battle-finishier, lacks compassion for people unwilling to make painful choices, disregard for social norms such as rules or politeness, questionable morality, book smart or street smart.
  • Common Characterizations: Pure Bad Cop, the Cynic (duh!), the Spock, Anti-Hero, the Lancer, Knight in Sour Armor, Grumpy Bear, the Snark Knight, the Rival, "Holier Than Thou" hypocrite, the Unfettered, Only Sane Man, Byronic Hero
  • Most common Perspective: Black-and-Grey Morality, Black-and-Black Morality, hypocritical version of Black-and-White Insanity or a stickler for ritualistic/letter-of-law absolutes
  • Temperament range: Choleric, sometimes Melancholic
  • Usual Myers-Briggs types: ^__TJ

• The Optimist
  • Common Attributes: Determination, loyalty to ideals, Honor Before Reason, morality or friendship over rules, self-sacrifice, feelings over facts, lack of forethought, disregard for consequences, relentlessness (even stubbornness), optimism, blind faith, naivety, prioritizes 'the right thing' over survival.
  • Common Characterizations: Purple Oni (Red + Blue), pure Good Cop, the McCoy, Idiot Hero, the Heart, the Pollyanna, the Fettered, Ideal Hero, Nice Guy, the Determinator, the Messiah, Plucky Girl
  • Most Common Perspective: Black-and-White Morality, White-and-Grey Morality
  • Temperament range: From Supine to Sanguine
  • Usual Myers-Briggs types: Feelers, often ^_NF^_

• The Realist
  • Common Attributes: Takes the middle ground or Take a Third Option, mediation, objectiveness, decisiveness, balance between the group's well-being and the goal, personal code, disciplinarian, calm or quiet, leadership, experience, adaptability, willingness to bend the rules.
  • Common Characterizations: Red Oni (usually), a Good Cop, the Kirk, the Captain, Supporting Leader, the Fettered (in some ways), Only Sane Man (in certain ways), Team Mom / Team Dad, the Mentor, Reasonable Authority Figure
  • Most Common Perspective: Grey-and-Grey Morality (on average), Black/White-and-Grey Morality , Blue-Orange-and-Grey Morality, Morality Kitchen Sink
  • Usual temperament range: From Phlegmatic to Sanguine, at times Choleric
  • Usual Myers-Briggs types: Extroverts, often E^__P

• The Apathetic
  • Common Attributes: Aloof or busy, uninvolved or neutral, different background or culture from other characters, different goals or priorities than other characters, perhaps enigmatic and lacking apparent goals at all, mysterious, ambivalent or not invested in the outcome, just along for the ride, silly or crazy, inactive, observer, support member.
  • Common Characterizations: Cloud Cuckoolander, Supporting Protagonist; a) in more Blue Oni Smart Guy cases the Quiet One, Non-Action Guy; b) in more fickle/stolid cases the Unfettered, Jerkass, Sociopathic Hero, Wild Card, Straw Nihilist, The Hedonist, Token Evil Teammate
  • Most Common Perspective: Blue-and-Orange Morality, It Amused Me, Somebody Else's Problem (which may add black to morality view)
  • Usual temperament range: Phlegmatic; Blue Oni geniuses may be Melancholic ; stolid and carefree types may be Sanguine or Choleric
  • Usual Myers-Briggs types: ^__TP

Occasionally the group will be joined by a fifth, called the Conflicted, or the Conflicted will replace the Apathetic:

• The Conflicted
  • Common Attributes: Indecisive and conflicted (duh!), changeable, doesn't have or voice strong opinions, empathy, prioritizes peace and cohesion among the group, appeasement, self-doubt, lack of confidence, fear, need for approval, dependent, blind trust of others.
  • Common Characterizations: Blue Oni, the Chick, Team Pet, Reluctant Warrior, Sad Clown, Hurting Hero, the Ingenue, the Eeyore, the Ditherer
  • Most Common Perspective: Grey-and-Grey Morality, Morality Kitchen Sink (although binds self to Black-and-White Morality)
  • Usual temperament range: Melancholic, Supine, and sometimes Phlegmatic
  • Usual Myers-Briggs types: Introverts, often I^_F^_

Generally speaking, the temperament correspondence line-ups most likely to be found:

Choleric	Cynic		Cynic	Mel/Chol
Sanguine	Realist	-- or --	Realist	Chol/Sang
Supine	Optimist		Optimist	Sang/Sup
Melancholic	Apathetic		Conflicted	Sup/Mel

• The correspondence line-ups in cases of five positions:

Choleric	Cynic		Mel/Chol	Cynic	Mel/Chol
Phlegmatic	Realist		Chol/Sang	Realist	Phlegmatic
Sanguine	Optimist	-- or --	Sang/Sup	Optimist	Sang/Sup
Melancholic	Apathetic		Phlegmatic	Apathetic	Chol/Sang
Supine	Conflicted		Sup/Mel	Conflicted	Sup/Mel

A variation on this trope involves there being a group of four with a Cynic and an Optimist who are always as such, but the remaining two members trade among themselves the roles of Realist, Apathetic or Conflicted, or do away with two of the roles, simply having them share the same role (Realist who can be Conflicted), with one being the main holder and the other in a supporting role or crossed with aspects of the Apathetic.

It is possible to expand the group beyond four or five members using this trope as a template and fitting additional characters into each slot, portraying different parts of the role; four is simply the minimum to qualify for this trope. Beyond that the number of members is unimportant so long as the bunch involves not a significant amount of Apathetic members, a case that would pretty much defeat the purpose of the trope, which is group conflict. If only a small part of the group (such as just the leader and his lancer) is ever involved in the conflict then it's not this trope, and probably a more job or role-oriented ensemble trope, such as Five-Man Band, Six-Student Clique or Magnificent Seven. When the group uses the full five philosophy roles, it is common for them to form a Three Plus Two group.

Example of this Trope in Action:

Situation: Our group is on an Adventure In Space, when suddenly they get pelted with space debris, their propulsion system is destroyed and they realize they are on a collision course with a meteor with very little maneuvering capabilities.

• The Cynic proposes they dump the ship and all their belongings and escape in space pods, even if it means leaving that urgently-needed medicine they are transporting on board to be destroyed.
• The Optimist finds this idea appalling and insists that either they will fix the ship in time to get out of the way or what maneuvering capability they have will be enough, usually without any evidence to support this idea.
• The Realist goes over the pros and cons of the situation, calming down the argument to the point where actual decision-making can happen. Eventually he chooses a side or proposes a third option everyone can live with. This may lead to acting on whatever plan he supports.
• The Apathetic may be a mechanic running about in the background, frantically trying to fix the propulsion systems with little time to think of anything else. Another portrayal is as an enigmatic passenger, watching the proceedings with bemusement, seemingly unaware of the danger. Alternatively they are gathering up their things, hopping in an escape pod without consulting anyone and saying "It's been real guys, see ya." Then again, they might just be insane.
• The Conflicted, should there be one, will be on the verge of tears throughout the ordeal. They may be in the corner quietly worrying, wanting to believe the Optimist, but unable to stay strong when faced with everything that can go wrong. It might be that rather than distress over the situation, just as bad or worse is the way it has split the members of the group against each other. Conversely, they might just opt to scream "What are we going to do!?" in the background without contributing anything constructive.

Compare Cast Calculus, Morality Kitchen Sink, Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism, Four-Temperament Ensemble, Three Plus Two, Five-Man Band.

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Examples of Four-Philosophy Ensemble include:

• Anime and Manga
• Film
• Literature
• Live-Action TV
• Video Games
• Web Works
• Western Animation