Review

Summary

The elements of change have now been proposed starting from the most minimal means at L1 and moving progressively to the most profound total form at L7.

The full hierarchy is shown in the Table below with the main proposed properties.

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L Elements Function & Outcome Process Hopes
& Fears		 Consequence
of Failure		 Use
7 Transformation To change the fundamental structure and functioning of the entity ie identity change. Imagination
of an ideal identity without loss of integrity		 Renewal
without
loss of integrity.		 Irrelevance Major failure or loss of relevance.
6 Representation To depict the existing and desired future state in its relevant aspects. Design
an abstract picture.		 Realistic depiction
without
missing elements or misunderstandings.
 Confusion To develop change with a recognition of its difficulties.
5 Adaptation To handle uncontrollable events within or without so as to enable the entity to exist in its environment. Control
for a new sustainable equilibrium.		 Enough adaptability
without
losing integrity or being overwhelmed		 Destabilization and destruction To handle potentially destructive impingement by the environment.
4 Sustenance To provide whatever is required for a state to continue to exist. Foundation
for continuity of a state trajectory		 Abundant resources
without
serious depletion or excessive demand.		 Deprivation To deal with threatened or actual loss of a necessary resource.
3 Improvement To determine a way that the entity's current state could be better. Rationale
for a difference with value.		 Betterment results
without
harmful unintended consequences.		 Deterioration To deal with inefficiency, ineffectiveness, poor quality and harm.
2 Alteration To bring an unambiguously different and desired state into being without affecting identity. Outcome
for a desirable difference		 Persistence
without
errors of omission or commission.
 Stagnation Obvious remedy for an unsatisfactory state.
1 Variation To make a potential step towards a new state. Means
for a noticeable difference		 Sufficient flexibility
without
change getting out of hand.		 Rigidity stifles change initiatives. To test feasibility and acceptability.

Cumulation

Nouns were used for the entity names because they are abstractions that capture the uniqueness of each particular level. However, in the real world they are processes and so intrinsically verbal.

Viewed in that way, it is evident that the verbal form represents a cumulation of level functioning up to but not beyond the particular entity. In other words, action is provided ultimately by the lowest level in the system, not by the level that is the focus.

In the diagram below: Sustain, for example, involves sustenance-L4, but it also includes or assumes improvement-L3 (due to provision of a needed resource), alteration-L2 (due to the difference that is made to the entity), and variation-L1 (whch is the change that actually results from supply of the resource).

See discussion in the Architecture Room.

Level of Emergence

of Entity : Noun-Name		       Functions Implied by Entity : Verb Name    
7 Transformation               Transform  
6 Representation             Represent    
5 Adaptation           Adapt      
4 Sustenance         Sustain        
3 Improvement       Improve          
2 Alteration     Alter            
1 Variation   Vary              

Confirmation

The usual investigation plan has been to move quickly to the Principal Typology, in this case perception methods (PH'3), because that is where confusion and disagreement can often be resolved (cf. ethical choice methods PH'6). It is also where the most useful practical applications are likely to be developed (cf. decision methods PH'1)).

Structural Corroboration

However, given the difficulties in developing this framework, it seems prudent to move to developing the dynamics of change via the Primal Vehicle Tree. This will offer an initial structural confirmation of the likely validity of this analysis. The Tree is currently thought to provide details for A Definitive Stage (PH3K).

A much stronger structural corroboration is provided by developing the Primary Structural Hierarchy which is exceedingly difficult if not impossible to complete if the labeling and order of the Primary Hierarchy is incorrect. This framework is thought to contain all components for changing systems-PsH3, and its Tree appears to provide details for Sustainable Developments (PsH3K).

Sufficient preliminary investigations of these 3 frameworks have been completed to provide confirmation, and the results are now posted in the Taxonomy Notes. However, past experience would suggest that there are likely some errors and imprecision in those formulations.

Further Development

All THEE hierarchies show an oscillating duality in which the odd-numbered and even-numbered levels have distinct and opposing qualities. This relatively simple investigation needs to be completed here.

It is also possible to check the abstract properties of the 7 levels against what has been generally found in the Taxonomy.

Originally posted: 30-May-2024