I think that it varies within the type itself. I think ISTJ's have the ability to choose between logically focused living and emotionally focused living at any given second or whim. My mother (an ISTJ) is often illogical and goes for cutesy arguments and manipulative comments that make me cringe and lose respect for her. HOWEVER, the next minute she is organizing things, concrete objects such as rooms, financial documents or anything for that matter beyond what anyone could ever imagine. She uses logic in her reasoning and lifestyle. It is more complicated than I am presenting it. I think ISTJ's have the "rational" side that NT's have, but are able to snap out of it and focus on everyday, practical and even emotional needs, only to snap back into the logical, almost detached, lifestyle. I am not saying NT's are oblivious to those situations and concerns, per se, but ISTJ's have a special gift to be able to balance the NT mentality with the SJ practicality. I agree with many of the posts in this thread that the "stereotypical ISTJ" is a drone, compared to the genius scientist INTJ (Many of my INTJ friends are incredibly brilliant). But where this stereotype is wrong is that it takes incredible logic and rational thinking to organize and problem solve in financial settings. Another thing that the stereotype leaves out is that that ISTJ "drone" slowly moves up the chain and becomes a controller or CFO or even CEO, where rational decisions are required on a daily basis. This post has become somewhat of a rant and long-winded, but the point I am trying to make is that ISTJ's have a special Rational side identical to NT's, but they also have the SJ side, in between which they can switch at will. In short, yes, ISTJ's could be considered "Rationals" but their ability to switch to between cold rational living and practical living renders them rational guardians.