Levels of Experience (PH4)

This abbreviated and preliminary account of the Primary Hierarchy (PH4) is not essential to the main investigation of the Principal Typology Complex (PH'4). It is provided here because it is referred to in the material to follow and to provide a sense of completion in this Satellite.

The Scientific Approach

Experience may seem impossibly complex, but all domains are bewilderingly complex before the simplifying power of scientific theory and classification is successfully brought to bear.

The taxonomic approach has enabled such a simplification. The Primary Hierarchy of Experience (PH4) provides the elemental forms, and the Primary Structural Hierarchy (PsH4) will contribute additional forms made up of these elements. (PsH4 and PsH4K are provisionally developed but not posted.)

Experience Exists

The capacity to investigate experience scientifically depends on:

1. the ability to have experience and focus on it;
&
2. the availability of shareable concepts which permit reliable and valid description.

In what follows, the elements or Levels in the Primary Hierarchy are presented in terms of:

■ presumed function and associated qualities
■ varieties
■ dynamic form i.e. the process within a Tree Centre.
■ relation to action
■ corresponding motivation.

L1-Sensation

Sensation-L1 is the form of experience embedded solely in the body and resulting from the direct interaction of the person and the external world. A discrete physical-physiological change is taken to correspond to a physical reality.

Function: To provide direct immediate interaction with the environment.

Sensation is conceptually distinguishable from the external event (or stimulus) producing it i.e. light (stimulus) is not coloured but we see it as coloured (sensation) in accord with its wavelength. In psychophysics, it is accepted that the measurement of psychological sensation cannot be separated from the measurement of the physical stimulus.

How many senses?

Sensation may lead to reflex action of a body-part e.g. pain reflex, corneal reflex.

Dynamic Form: Enable sensations.
Sensing is intrinsic to sensation. If however, sensing-PH4L1 is to be a deliberate part of any endeavour-RH, then we must ensure it occurs. That requires action: mental (e.g. focusing attention) and physical (e.g. to hear: stopping talking, reducing noise, turning one's head, cupping the ear).

More Examples: Actively sensing «colour» involves looking; sensing «touch» involves touching or moving so as to be touched; sensing «balance» involves stiffening and orienting the body.

Motivation:  Awareness i.e. noticing a sensation may impel us to take action.

L2: Image

Image-L2 is an inner (i.e. mental) representation of sensation-L1. It includes sensation-L1, but in a form abstracted and removed from any spatio-temporal physical interaction. It can provide for continuity. So we can have or hold an image in our mind: but we cannot see it in the way we see i.e. sense-L1 a physical object. While an image cannot be measured, it can be qualitatively reproduced.

Function:  To provide an indirect or simulated interaction with the environment.

Memory fits this function. Imagery, like memory is typically, but not solely, conceived as visual. However, it may be auditory or based on any form of sensation in so far as representation is possible.

All images are associative and generate other experiences.

Varieties:

Image may lead to action in the form of habit or conditioned response. Action of this sort can proceed without emotion, thought or personal engagement.

Dynamic Form: Focus images.
Imaging is about developing images. If however, imaging-PH4L2 is to be a deliberate part of any endeavour-RH, then the image must be brought into focus. Getting clarity about relevant features requires inquiring in order to know what should be included in the image.

Example: During planning a banquet, it is a good idea to visualize exactly how key moments will evolve. To do that effectively, relevant features in the situation must be known and preferred modes of handling clarified. Contingencies must be envisaged and played out in the mind's eye.

Motivation:   Intention i.e. images surrounding a goal impel its pursuit.

L3: Emotion

Emotion-L3, often called a «feeling», is a subjective experience with whole body physiological activation. It shows more organization and energy than image-L2 or sensation-L1, and has unequivocal value (positive or negative).

As a result, it can direct our attention, motivate our behaviour, and determine the significance of what is going on around us. Emotion therefore gives life to images-L2 and sensations-L1. Either the outer world or inner higher level experiences can generate emotion.

Function: To provide a sense of self that is embodied and has value and energy.

It is generally assumed (and was proposed by Darwin) that animals have emotions (as well as images and sensation). Neonates have them too.

Varieties:

Emotion is associated with whole person behaviour or with a readiness or even urgency to act. Pure emotion-based action is an automatic reflex and undifferentiated. So, when a person is in the grip of intense emotion, he feels out of control and appears enslaved or in thrall. That is why emotional states are often equated to 'bombs'.

Emotions can be dismissed or denied mentally, but bodily evidence (facial temperature, sweat, muscle tensions, pupil dilation &c) cannot be so easily suppressed. Contagion of emotions is natural, especially if a person is open. So it also serves as a communicative tool for either senders or recipients.

Dynamic Form: Contain emotions
In relation to endeavours, the presence of emotion indicates your self or sense of self is being affected, but that does not determine choices. Impulsive action, as distinct from spontaneity, is usually dangerous. So emotion must be contained and prevented from causing disruption or harm. If released or communicated, emotions are signals that alter a state of affairs for better or worse. There may be spontaneous or deliberate efforts to prevent or neutralize such change.

Example: An arrangement with a customer starts going awry and emotions mount as a result. Once released, the emotion cannot be restricted to just two people. The customer's family and friends may become involved, and on the supplier side, a variety of employees become sensitized, develop views and possibly take action.

Motivation:   Desire  i.e. emotions are tightly bound with wishes that impel towards gratification.

L4: Idea

Idea-L4 is a generalization and abstraction from concrete experience. It implies awareness or reflection on emotion-L3, image-L2 and sensation-L1, and an inner articulation.

Ideas-PH4L4 are typically considered verbal because they are confused with assigned names-PH5L5 and rigorous concepts-PH2L2, both of which typically use words. However, an idea may be iconic. For example, children's spontaneous play with dolls suggests that they have ideas before they have words to express them.

Function: To provide focused effective impact for the self-experience.

Ideas permit discrimination. So they enable problem-solving and differentiated action. Idea-driven action may proceed in a dispassionate and depersonalized way.

Idea-L4 is associated with the emergence of a 'self' experience, because «the self»is an idea. Ideas possess a distance and disconnection from the body or self, which is not possible at lower levels. Unlike L1-3 experiences, ideas-L4 may be owned or disowned, teased and shaped, managed or dismissed, all in a way that elemental experiences at lower levels cannot.

Dynamic Form: Embrace ideas
Ideas depend on using experience so that they are properly held and available. IF an idea does not tap into your own experience, it remains lifeless and seems alien or wrong. You cannot use it properly. That is why extensive exposure to different walks of life, and wide reading that covers many diverse themes is so beneficial. A narrow life constricts mental functioning at this precise point.

Example: A young adult moving to independent living is aware of the limitations of their early family and school environments. They avidly engage in late night quasi-philosophical debates with friends, watch soaps or dramas on TV, and peruse magazines and novels in order to gain ideas vicariously. They often travel afar to broaden the mind by gaining additional new experiences directly.

Motivation:   Interest i.e. ideas specify what is both attractive and important, which impels us to become involved or to defend a position.

L5: Intuition

Intuition-L5 refers to an experience of the self in a context. It enables an awareness that inter-relates and inter-connects all lower levels of experience.

Most personal choices and activities in everyday life appears to be based on intuitions. That is to say, our actions are not determined simply by logic or the facts, but by a complex automatic integration of sensations, emotions, associated images and ideas.

Function: To provide an unpremeditated appreciation of a situation involving the self.

Intuition has a holistic personalized quality and many have noted that it is the form taken by the creative resolution of issues and dilemmas. Natural intuition is unavoidably conditioned by past history and previous experiences i.e. it is not selfless or open to anything. Counter-intuitive notions therefore depend on input from a higher level beyond the sense of self.

Dynamic Form: Develop intuitions
Intuiting involves communicating to yourself about how things are overall. Because it is impractical to inquire into everything, or even into most things, endeavours necessarily depend on a holistic perception that only intuition can provide. In developing an intuition, we each effortlessly integrate factors like atmosphere, social attitudes, hidden agendas and other intangibles with what is self-evident, and also with past experience and current knowledge.

Example: You are at work and sense a subtle change in the atmosphere. Asking directly leads nowhere. However, by observing and allowing ideas and feelings to emerge, you find you can create a coherent narrative that makes sense of the situation.

Motivation:   Need i.e. intuition is necessary to appreciate an absence that must be filled.

There is no further level of manifest or tangible experience, but reflection and psychodynamic researches suggest that there are two further Levels in this Hierarchy.

L6: Identification

A person's experiences are enormously variable in their detailed manifestations. However, within any specific and significant sphere of psychosocial functioning, experiencing can typically be seen to conform to some basic structure regardless of the issue. Identification-L6 is a defined coherent structure built up from experience and regularly manifesting in each of us.

Function: To organise and shape experiences that constitute a dimension of self.

We have numerous identifications, some better developed than others. These are the controllers that give definition and shape to many of our actual experiences.

A person's many identifications correspond to different aspects of their self and its functioning. These are each expressions of separateness and uniqueness.

Identification implies that a person is both what he is experiencing and also outside that experience. This enables reflection on actions, and a person can ask: 'is that me?' 'is that the sort of person I wish to be?' Identification is therefore an approach or paradigm for action.

Dynamic Form: Integrate identifications
Identifying is the way you create a personal future for yourself. It ensures your identity will evolve in a particular direction that facilitates relevant endeavours. So it necessarily involves setting or knowing your values and goals. Charismatic individuals may encourage others to identify, but seduction only occurs if there are common values pushing in that direction.

Example: A young man who wants to help others and is distressed by the ills and cruelties in the world will look at what others are doing to gain direction. Certain people then become models who shape his adult development.

Motivation:   Obligation i.e. identification is a structure which impels adherence because it specifies what is to be taken as right and it usually feels right.

L7: Imagination

Beyond the strictures of identification lies a form of experience which is unbounded and undefined: the imagination-L7. As Einstein said: Logic takes you from A to B, imagination takes you everywhere.Imagination therefore provides potential and openness.

Function: To provide an indefinite variety of experiences, including those beyond any current conception of what is real or practical.

Imagination-L7 is the infinite realm of experience where everything can be identical to everything else: even A = non-A, and part = whole. It is equivalent to Freud's unrepressed unconscious and the basis of dream-life. Note that, like identification-L6, it can only manifest via the bottom 5 Hierarchical Levels.

Imagination is an energy-filled resource for action.

Dynamic Form: Open the imagination
Imagining involves willingness because it entails tolerating a move outside a personal zone of safety and comfort that is provided by logic, practicality, custom and habit. Imagination is the only way to generate counter-intuitive conclusions. But unexpected or undesirable intuitions, images and thoughts will not be entertained in consciousness unless you open a mental door and are ready to consider them.

Example: A person running a corner convenience shop may use imagination to add services and get more customers e.g. the shop could offer post-office, meeting house, coffee-bar, book-lender, internet access, dating service, money transfer, luggage deposit &c. Many of these will not go any further due to regulations, practicalities or personal wishes, but a willingness to let ideas flow is the primary requirement for creative development.

Motivation:   Inspiration i.e. imagination alone can lead to a feeling state or aura that uplifts, guides and impels.

Summary

This matrix includes speculations explained in the next Topic.
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L	Structural Element	Function	Dynamic	Veridicality	Quality Trigger Status	Contribution to Endeavour	Associated Motivation
7	Imagination	To provide an indefinite variety of experiences including the unreal and impractical.	Open depends on Willingness	Incapable of error	Fuzzy External Unique	Provides creative and counter-intuitive options.	Inspiration
6	Identification	To organise and shape experiences that constitute a dimension of self.	Integrate depends on Purpose	Can be mistaken	Definite Internal Identical	Structures approaches to issues and action.	Obligation
5	Intuition	To provide an unpremeditated appreciation of a situation involving the self.	Develop depends on Communic'n	Incapable of error	Fuzzy External Unique	Ensures rapid sensitive responsiveness.	Need
4	Idea	To provide focused effective impact for the self-experience.	Embrace depends on Experience	Can be mistaken	Definite Internal Identical	Determines discriminations and conceptions.	Interest
3	Emotion	To provide an embodied sense of self with value and energy.	Contain depends on Change	Incapable of error	Fuzzy External Unique	Establishes a personal engagement	Desire
2	Image	To provide an indirect or simulated interaction with the environment.	Focus depends on Inquiry	Can be mistaken	Definite Internal Identical	Enables representations of past, present & future.	Intention
1	Sensation	To provide direct immediate interaction with the environment.	Enable depends on Action	Incapable of error	Fuzzy External Unique	Provides biological grounding in the present instant.	Awareness

This endeavour-based functional approach may seem strange e.g.endeavours always entail use of the body: whether directly e.g. moving something, or contextually e.g. sitting in a meeting. Physiologically, sensations inform you of a stimulus or the state of your body. However, from the present perspective, their significance is that they inform you about your participation in an endeavour.

Name Confusions

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Note: This material needs improvement, refinement, expansion and development. Further interesting properties deserve unpacking.

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• Speculation about the oscillating duality.
• Distinguish mind, self, identity, existence.
• See the taxonomic path from Will-R to the Principal Typology-PH'4.

Originally posted: 24-Oct-2014. Last updated: 10-Dec-2014.