Sara Ross
Vol. 4 No. 2 Dec 2008
“Such a Body We Must Create:” New Theses on Integral Micropolitics
Daniel Gustav Anderson
Abstract: This essay proposes a rigorously postmetaphysical integral praxis, defines what this means and how such an intervention may be premised, and demonstrates throughout some methodological and practical advantages this approach may have over extant metaphysically-oriented integral theories. Beginning with an interpretation of post-Hegelian historical and dialectical materialisms informed by the Buddhist dialectical tradition of Madhyamika, a series of coordinated and interrelated theses address problems proper to fields such as phenomenology, hermeneutics, semiotics, historiography, and subaltern studies. The claimed purpose of this project is to coordinate subjective (psychological, spiritual) and objective (social, political, economic) transformational imperatives into a coherent, non-ontological “counterproject.” It takes as its aim the production of a radically democratized, responsible, and sane subjective and objective space, where responsibility is characterized as critical clarity, competence, creative consciousness, and compassion.
Tags: dialectics, radical democracy, Buddhism, responsibility, causality, semiotics, counterproject, Spiral Dynamics, ecocriticism, subjectivity, transformation, integral praxis, Wilber, Krishnamurti, consciousness, Marx, Nagarjuna, Daniel Gustav Anderson, nonduality, Deleuze, postmetaphysical
Validation of Theory: Exploring and Reframing Popper’s Worlds
Steven E. Wallis
Abstract: Popper’s well-known arguments describe the need for advancing social theory through a process of falsification. Despite Popper’s call, there has been little change in the academic process of theory development and testing. This paper builds on Popper’s lesser-known idea of “three worlds” (physical, emotional/conceptual, and theoretical) to investigate the relationship between knowledge, theory, and action. In this paper, I explore his three worlds to identify alternative routes to support the validation of theory. I suggest there are alternative methods for validation, both between, and within, the three worlds and that a combination of validation and falsification methods may be superior to any one method. Integral thinking is also put forward to support the validation process. Rather than repeating the call for full Popperian falsification, this paper recognizes that the current level of social theorizing provides little opportunity for such falsification. Rather than sidestepping the goal of Popperian falsification, the paths suggested here may be seen as providing both validation and falsification as stepping-stones toward the goal of more effective social and organizational theory.
Tags: theory of theory, three worlds, validation of theory, Steven E. Wallis, Falsification, metatheory, philosophy of science
The Toxic Effect on Children of a Degraded U.S. Society, Family, and Educational Context: How Will This Nation Respond?
Carol Hoare
Abstract: This paper explores the relationship among conditions in U.S. society and families and U.S. educational achievement data. Such information, along with related data from 30 OECD countries, shows a marked decline in the U.S. as a context for child development and learning. The focus of the paper is on indicators of decline. Data from the 2008-2009 Measure of America Human Development Report of the Social Science Research Council, as well as related economic and educational data, are highlighted. A point elaborated throughout is that schools are but a microcosm of society, and that they alone cannot rectify educational deficits. In the concluding section questions are posed about the will of U.S. citizens and representative institutions and groups to engage in serious change efforts.
Tags: human development, Carol Hoare, Achievement rates, American competitiveness, literacy, school drop-out rates, foreign competition
Advanced Change Theory Revisited: An Article Critique
R. Scott Pochron
Abstract: The complexity of life in 21st century society requires new models for leading and managing change. With that in mind, this paper revisits the model for Advanced Change Theory (ACT) as presented by Quinn, Spreitzer, and Brown in their article, “Changing Others Through Changing Ourselves: The Transformation of Human Systems” (2000). The authors present ACT as a potential model for facilitating change in complex organizations. This paper presents a critique of the article and summarizes opportunities for further exploring the model in the light of current trends in developmental and integral theory.
Tags: R. Scott Pochron
