Objective Analysis
for the Advancement of
Integral Theory
Steven E. Wallis, PhD
[email protected]
Director, Foundation for the Advancement of Social Theory
Fellow, Institute for Social Innovation, Fielding Graduate University
Editorial Board, Integral Review
Adjunct Faculty, Capella University
Fielding Graduate University - Winter Session
January 11-15 – Santa Barbara, California
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We Face a
World of Problems
War
Poverty
Global warming
Crime
Ignorance
Apathy
Stress
Uncertainty…
2
The Integral Community
Has developed a vast array of theory to
address these issues.
Claims that Integral Theory (I.T.) is
superior to other theories of the social
sciences.
Claims that Integral theory can be used
to effectively understand and address
the problems of the world.
3
UNFORTUNATELY…
There has been no generally
accepted way to decide what
theory is “better.” So… even if
I.T. is better, its voice is lost in
the crowd.
I.T. claims to
be best
?
Others claim
to be best
4
Common Criteria for
Choosing Theory in Academia
Highest cited.
Oldest.
Newest.
Best written.
Simplest.
Most complicated.
These methods
have not proved
useful in advancing
theory.
We need a new
approach!
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Let’s Start by Defining What a
Theory is
A theory consists of interrelated
propositions
This is important because Integral Theory
(along with systems thinking and
complexity theory) is essentially a study
of how things are interrelated.
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A Theory by Any Other Name
Lens
Map
Metaphor
Story
Diagram
Narrative
Set of axioms
Model
Ethics
Policy
Mental model
Schema
Mind map
Assumptions
These are all names for a conceptual construct
that is useful for engaging the world.
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The study of theory is called
Metatheory
Metatheory is a theoretical “lens” that is
developed from the analysis of other theories
and may be directed toward the investigation
of theory.
Integral Theory (along with systems thinking
and complexity theory) provides useful
insights into the importance of integration.
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Using Metatheory to Gain a
Deeper Understanding
of Theory
Better to have a specific metatheoretical
lens
That lens is best pointed toward specific
theory
If our lens of metatheory is cloudy, we
won’t see the lens of theory with clarity
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Generally… what options do
we have for testing theory?
Modern: Tests of application
If it works in practice, it is good.
Postmodern: Tests of creativity
More innovation is more valid.
Integral: Tests of Connectivity
Better systemic integration is more valid.
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METHODS
Because theories exist as text, we may
use hermeneutic approaches and
content analysis to develop a
complexity theory based understanding.
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Some Methods Include…
Is theory plausible does it make sense?
Are there enough variables within the theory so that the theory is useable?
The theory should be testable.
Is theory useable across multiple situations.
Correspondence – does theory fit observed facts?
Coherence – do new theories fit existing theory?
Pragmatic – Does the theory work in application?
Intuition (May be useful in familiar situations).
Thought Experiment (helps to decide if theory is “plausible”).
MAY ALSO LOOK AT:
Number of corroborating facts derived.
Number of discorroborating facts derived.
Qualitative diversity of facts derived.
Novelty of facts derived.
Numerical precision of facts derived.
Reducibility, passive: The theory as reduced.
Reducibility, active: The theory as reducer.
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… More methods include…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1.
2.
3.
Propositional Analysis
Identify propositions within the theory.
Compare with one another to identify overlaps, and drop redundant aspects.
Investigate propositions for conceptual relatedness.
Link causal aspects with resultant aspects.
Identify “concatenated” aspects (those aspects that are explained by, or
resultant from, two or more other concepts).
Divide the number of concatenated aspects by the total number of aspects in
the theory (to provide a number between zero and one).
Anti-Modernist approach (use methods that are intuitive and contextual)
Postmodern Approaches:
Change, understood through history;
Workability or usefulness of a theory;
Attention to surprise – seeking what is not there and appreciating accidents
and novelty.
Falsifiability show experiments to prove how the theory might not work.
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I Analyzed Key Theories of the
Integral Community
AQAL (All Quadrants All Levels)
The Twenty Tenets
Only To Find…
Most methods are not useful for
advancing theory because they give no
direction for what is an “advance.”
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Two methods proved useful:
Theory
Propositional Analysis to find
the Level of Integration from
zero (lowest) to one (highest)
Complexity
AQAL
R = 0.0
C = 39
20
Tenets
R = 0.1
C = 28
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IMPLICATIONS #1
These theories are HIGHLY COMPLEX (most
theories are much smaller). So, theories are
likely to be confusing and unwieldy.
So… If used in practice, a good approach may
be to have multiple collaborators with each
scholar practitioner focusing on one part of
the theory; then, integrating their results.
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IMPLICATIONS #2
These theories have LOW ROBUSTNESS (most
theories have higher internal integrity). So,
theories are unlikely to be effective in
practice.
So… Could be readily improved philosophically
by identifying linkages between propositions
within the theories or empirically by testing
relationships between propositions.
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INSIGHTS & CONCLUSION
High complexity and low Robustness both mean
that these theories may be easily “fractured.”
That is, the theory may be manipulated,
changed, and used in partiality – against the
original author’s intent.
Thus, these theories provide more of a “rubber
ruler,” than a tool that can be used to improve
the world.
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