Review the Depiction Paradigms

Summary

The present focus for changing situations is not on the technical-material-scientific aspect where substitution of persons is irrelevant. Rather, it is on the experiential-personal-social dimension where what matters is who is involved, how they feel, and the views of affected others.

While the physical environment is always a factor in change, the most relevant and challenging environment is commonly a group of some sort or wider society.
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A person's handling of change is a function of how the situation is depicted, and the depiction paradigms have a powerful effect on this process. Korzybski's phrase "the map is not the territory" most obviously belongs here. In practice, the depiction maps are commonly treated as the territory.

The following Table summarizes the essential features of the various paradigms.
See the preview for a summary of the properties of the paradigm.

Paradigm Depiction Perceived Form Imposition Individual
Components		 Change Preference Benefit
Unified Compound including the environment. Dynamic system of dynamic systems interacting dynamically with its environment. Complex oneness.
Co-evolution is occurring.		 Unique and irreplaceable individuals. Continuous organic growth co-evolving with environment. Mastery
Atomistic Many discrete compound A discrete independent bounded dynamic system surrounded by similar entities. Firm respected boundaries.
Coexistence.		 Autonomous and responsible individuals. Independent self-motivated
re-positioning.		 Independence
Dynamic Compound with interacting components Bounded system consisting of non-systemic components in a dynamic relationship. Feedback amongst components. Members of a group or community. Directed evolution. Development
Structural Compound with ordered components Bounded with a fixed internal structure determining functioning. Ordering of flows and relationships. Member of a category or with a role. Re-organisation. Identity
Causal Multiplicity An unbounded multiplicity of components (factors) with some distinct causal connections. Causation between selected components. Effective agents. Prediction-controlled intervention. Prediction
Dualistic Duality A duality in the midst of variety. Dichotomization leading to
polarized opposition.		 Exist on or identify with one side or the other. Maintenance of status quo unless own-sided betterment. Simplicity
Unitary Unity An undifferentiated whole. Indivisibility.
Homogeneity.		 Inter-changeable and replaceable parts. Expansion or contraction Stability

In looking at the depiction paradigms, we have identified a critical duality between: 

► depiction that is about enforcing domination and requires exertion of power,
and
► depiction that is about harnessing evolution and requires comprehensiveness.

This has enabled differentiation in accord with

Change is intrinsic to most disciplines and themes. Social sciences like psychology, sociology, anthropology and economics are preoccupied with change and development. History is the story of change. The physical sciences too reveal a focus on change: change of state, change of position, change of charge &c. Philosophy too is preoccupied with change. Even mathematics talks about variables, which are entities whose value can be made to change-PH3L1

The two main foci for change that generate theories appear to be personal therapy or growth, and organisations.

However, in all disciplines and regardless of focus, the depiction method is typically taken for granted. There is no reflection on suitability or on the abstract qualities of the method. Many polemics in these fields turn out to be a rejection of one paradigm based on a preference for a different paradigm.

As this framework would suggest, in the presence of ignorance and confusion, the field of change is perceived in a dualistic fashion: mechanical v human, or simple v complex, short-term v long-term, systems v narrative &c.

This lack of a literature is not unlike the condition found for using language-PH'5 in the Communication Domain, and for mental stabilization-PH'4 in the Experience Domain. By contrast, the Action, Inquiry and Purpose Domains have a literature, dualistic and non-dualistic, presenting methods to be used for decision-PH'1, research-PH'2 and ethical choice-PH'6 respectively.

Change Precedes Knowing

Science is preoccupied with the generation of knowledge that is as certain as possible. It is an expression or product of the Inquiry Domain RL2. However, science is built upon relations (PH2L5) and does not inform us of the nature of things.

As human beings, we are preoccupied with the nature of things. That nature, as it presents itself to us, is precisely what we want to change. The depiction paradigms give us a handle on making change possible. However, as this investigation has revealed, each paradigm comes with considerable baggage.

These paradigms have been discovered and can be confirmed by simple observation of the social world. While there may be some errors and perhaps even surprises, nothing in these observations is new.

The depiction paradigms are not the product of science. Instead, they are tools of science, as well as other human activities intrinsic to personal functioning.

Without these paradigms it would be impossible to do much of anything because we would be overwhelmed and in a state of utter confusion caused by the endless complexity and unknowability of reality.

We can go further and say all change is built upon adaptation (PH3L5) because the environment seems to have the final say as to what is and what is not possible. This also applies to the Unified paradigm which includes the environment in the model.

Archimedes' cry to "give me a place to stand and I will move the world" begs for the presence of an independent environment. But for unified models, like THEE there is no place to stand outside the world.

Additional analyses:

Originally posted: 30-Jun-2024. Last modified 18-Jul-2024.