Integral Theory

Every natural language in human history has included three common perspectives: first person, second person, and third person. This is usually expressed as “I”, “You”, and “It”. “I” refers to the person speaking, “You” refers to the person spoken to, and “It” refers to the object or objects spoken about.

Especially important is second person, addressing the development of mutual understanding. Accordingly, second person is often referred to as “We”. For instance, if “I” am speaking to “You”, there is a point in which this mutual understanding manifests. “I” and “You” become “We”. If not, “You” might as well remain an “It”.

So we can express the 3 perspectives as “I”, “We”, and “It”; or art, morals, and science; or the good, the true, and the beautiful.

Further investigation into these perspectives reveals 4 innate qualities: internal and external, and singular and plural. These qualities can be used to map human experience into quadrants with the upper 2 quadrants representing singular/individual perspectives, and the lower 2 representing plural/group perspectives. Similarly, the left 2 quadrants represent internal qualities, while the right 2 represent external perspectives. (See diagram below.)

Specifically, if we look at the upper left quadrant, we see the internal qualities of the individual. This is the “I” perspective, or subjective consciousness. This quadrant reflects individual values, beliefs, aspirations, feelings, thoughts, and emotions.

The upper right represents external factors of the individual. These “It” qualities are objective elements. They include behavior, the inner workings of the body and organs, brain functions, physical health, body weight, energy levels, and the effects of stress.

Moving down, the lower left quadrant maps interior perspectives of groups. These are inter-subjective elements. This “We” quadrant reflects culture, shared values, common beliefs, group identity, and traditions.

Last, the lower right quadrant includes the external functions of collectives such as social systems, hierarchy, the environment, species evolution, laws and regulations, chain of command, and traditional business management. This is the inter-objective quadrant of “Its”.

Together, the 4 quadrants become a map of human consciousness. All 4 perspectives are available to all individuals at all times. The functions of all quadrants are ever-present, although we are often unaware of their existence. We ignore a perspective at our own peril. Perspectives not taken into account, especially when pathologies are present, can act as “shadow elements” disturbing the ebb and flow of each daily endeavor.

Whenever a significant problem is analyzed for possible solutions, each one of the 4 quadrants should be addressed. If not, the course of action tends to be partial and fragmented. A move made to one quadrant will absolutely have a corresponding affect in all other quadrants. It’s as if you plug a leak in one area, only to spring a new leak somewhere else.

Learn more at: http://integrallife.com/learn

Some of the major and extremely influential modes of inquiry that are based in each of the quadrants:

Upper Left: phenomenology, psychotherapy, meditation, emotional intelligence, personal transformation

Upper Right: empiricism, scientific analysis, quality control, behavioral modification

Lower Left: multiculturalism, postmodernism, worldviews, corporate culture, collective values

Lower Right: systems theory, social systems analysis, techno-economic modes, communication networks, systems analysis