I think there are a few distinct ideas to look at here: 1. Historical hubris of "authorities" : This isn't unique to psychology-- authorities in religion, phil

I think there are a few distinct ideas to look at here: 1. Historical hubris of "authorities" : This isn't unique to psychology-- authorities in religion, philosophy, medicine have long declared the most absurd things with no observational basis (e.g. 4 humors). 2. Attempt to quantify people in general (personality being one dimension of this). Certainly mass measurement is useful sometimes - e.g. changes in baby birth-weights. However measurement can also be a tool for unjust reductionism. 3. The woeful oversimplicity of "personality research." The most respected model only has 5 attributes. Certainly there are many personality traits beyond just 5.