THEE Entities
Features
Taxonomic elements, the contents of a cell within the THEE architecture, are observable entities. These entities are psychosocial categories of phenomena that exist both in a private form within a person's inner experience, and in a shareable form within the external social world.
THEE entities operate largely unconsciously (or implicitly), but can be made conscious (or explicit) in a situation if required. A person can be completely certain about the experiential aspect of a THEE entity in many cases.
All THEE entities are important when required as part of committed action. They fade into the background and seem to disappear when not required or when commitment is absent. Because an entity is a category, what emerges in the actual situation is «an example of the entity»: see next Topic.
Recognition
- As a result of architectural processes, an entity/category may be a framework element requiring no further subdivision in one context, while its latent complexity may require unravelling in another context.
- Simple entities (e.g. tasks, interests, stimuli) may be fairly unproblematic to identify within oneself and also in the outer world. More complex entities (e.g. mentalities, cultural states, responsibilities) may be difficult to see and delineate, even with explanations and examples.
- Personal experience of the relevant situation is required to comprehend what is involved e.g. if you have never worked as a manager in a large organization it is difficult to engage with frameworks addressing the issues there.
- Any attempt to control or access human experiences that fails to adequately support personal identity is likely to distort, disrupt or even destroy the entity being investigated.
Presentation of Knowledge
Knowledge about entities takes the form of formulations of the function and distinctive properties. In addition, because architecture is so important, relationships with other entities should be identified.
A matrix, as below, helps this process. The standard matrix is formed by laying out the hierarchy of entities in the left-hand column to create rows, and by indicating general properties in the top row to head-up columns. This enables comparisons.
THEE entities/categories may be represented via form-diagrams. However, such an image without an accompanying matrix of formulations is a recipe for self-delusion.
The blank matrix below is an example showing the properties of 7-Levels/entities within a particular superordinate entity.
| Formula | Formal Name |
Function (Definition) |
Property Categ #1 |
Property Categ #2 |
[more Properties] | Oscillating Duality |
Negative Form |
Misguided Criticism |
Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| •7 | |||||||||
| •6 | |||||||||
| •5 | |||||||||
| •4 | |||||||||
| •3 | |||||||||
| •2 | |||||||||
| •1 |
Typical THEE-Columns
As shown in the matrix diagram:
The usual convention has the first column with the (usually just the end parts). The second column contains THEE-names, and the third column specifies the Function of the entity.
In the matrix diagram, an Oscillating Duality column is important as it provides evidence of being on the right track.
An Examples column may be useful, so long as errors of exemplification can be avoided.
The Negative Form column may apply, given that people can use most entities both well/constructively and poorly/destructively.
An Inappropriate Criticism column is often useful because adherents or people who feel maximally comfortable functioning with one Level/type tend to be rather critical of one or more of the other Levels. More …
Common columns not shown in the matrix diagram:
Transition features explaining why a move to a higher or lower Level is needed in practice or is logically expected.
Encompassing relations are often relevant e.g. showing the cumulative nature of the Levels as they ascend.
Matrix as a Sudoku
By appreciating in detail just one or two Levels (or types) within a matrix, general properties are suggested, and this usually aids in identifying other Levels (rows) and other categories of properties (columns).
Because it is a complete system, precise knowledge of just a few cells distributed around the matrix may help greatly in completing the matrix entirely. The matrix acts much like a conceptual «sudoku puzzle».
We must complete all cells with confidence before we can claim to have solved the puzzle posed by a psychosocial entity.
- Categories are unobservable abstractions: see the effect of observing examples.
- Entities are connected by taxonomic processes.
Originally posted: August 2009; Last updated 2-Feb-2014.