A Model—not a Theory

Modelling Endeavour

THEE is a unified, dynamic, structured taxonomy or «ontology» for personal functioning as it manifests within endeavour. That is to say, THEE potentially specifies the full range of human (as distinct from technical or biological) elements in any endeavour, and the relationships properly existing between these elements when in consciousness.

Endeavour = deliberate activity toward a goal.

Endeavour comprises dynamic processes, both mental and social
for example:

working, relating, choosing, thriving, communicating, creating, thinking, learning, symbolizing, surviving, deciding, intending, hoping, exercising, persuading, knowing, playing, appreciating, persevering, becoming, objectifying, believing, engaging, concentrating, solving, submitting, picturing, intuiting, suffering, determining, researching, formulating, adapting, obeying, reassuring, willing, joining, confusing, challenging, practising, mentoring, hypothesizing, mediating, strategizing, obliging, coercing, wondering, aligning, naming, authorizing, inquiring, meditating, leading, codifying, reforming, clarifying, needing, changing, managing, trusting &c.

and also stable enduring structures and states, both mental and social,
for example:

organizations, potentials, governments, roles, debaters, experiments, enterprises, expectations, laws, willingness, incentives, names, spirituality, policies, addiction, equanimity, violence, prosperity, identifications, flexibility, thoughts, principles, visionaries, politicians, nihilism, opinions, teams, strategies, vulnerabilities, families, rationalism, words, authorities, codes, projects, ideology, growth, selflessness, fascism, managers, activism, mediators, operations, policies, creation, distraction, salvation, gratification, dictatorship, thoughtfulness, logic, identities, philosophy, wisdom, knowledge, virtue, confidence, authenticity &c.

There are probably 5,000–10,000 different entities in human endeavour.

Each entity within endeavour (as categorized within THEE) can be expressed in vast, probably infinite, numbers of ways. This is much like grammar with its infinite sentences, or graphics software which can be used to produce endless new images. Within their constraints, THEE, grammar and software put you in the driving seat.

The taxonomic model that has emerged is a system that unifies systems. These corresponds to a Root Domain (Will) with Primary Domains within it (e.g. purpose, action). The Domains contain «frameworks», which are organisations of psychosocial things and psychosocial processes that handle a particular area of personal and social life.

As already emphasized, the Domains and frameworks contain no (or very few) new observations, but make explicit what is often left implicit, and heighten subtle differences and discontinuities.

A Taxonomy is not a Theory

A theory is an explanation that (if reasonably correct) leads to predictions or aids practical design. A theoretical model is just a complicated explanation. A model is a map representing a situation so you can see where you are. A dynamic model shows how actual factors affect each other, and (if reasonably correct) it may also be used to make predictions and aid practical design.

THEE is an organisation of simple checkable observations, not a theory about anything. By a rigorous process of distinguishing, naming and formulating, taxonomic frameworks end up illuminating the obvious and penetrating to the not-so-obvious.

Theories and doctrines are common in social life and some are perennials that deserve taxonomic identification. However, THEE itself is theory-neutral. People with wildly differing paradigms or theories about psychological and social life can find common ground within THEE without needing to abandon or compromise their theory or ideology. Actually, they must, because there is no escaping from paradigms and theories.

Theorizing (i.e. asking "why?") in relation to the taxonomic architecture is possible once there is confidence in validity and clarity about "what" is puzzling. Puzzles invite conjectures if you are curious.

THEE is open to a variety of theories about its evolutionary origins, its strange architecture, and its dynamics. In this way, it is directly comparable to the Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements. Theorizing only commenced in 2013 after decades of observation and this led to the creation of the Architecture Room, where I offer summaries, arguments and conjectures for wider consideration.

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• Using the Taxonomy leads to creation of a reality.

Originally posted: May 2010; Last amended: 14-Oct-2016