Quadrants Capture Reality
Engaging with Reality
Communication creates psychosocial reality, which is to say reality insofar as we can know it. Review now the different orientations of the 7 methods to handling reality.
As initially noted, methods that share a TET quadrant must have a fundamental similarity. In this case, the TET quadrants appear to represent different perspectives on reality and how it is appreciated and handled via language.
UR: Concrete — Gestalt
It appears that these methods regard reality as requiring to be perceived, an activity which intrinsically demands effort. As a result, language reveals a reality that we did not previously fully appreciate.
Detail
For the Concrete Method, reality-based concerns are practical and physical. Commonly they relate to performance. So perception is sensori-motor and reality is discovered.
For the Gestalt Methods, the concerns are with a human reality that is intrinsically subtle and complicated. Perception here has to be holistic and empathic, and reality is constructed.
LL: Logical — Associative
It appears that these methods regard reality as something whose important features can be assumed or are self-evident and therefore exist to be believed. As a result, language confirms a reality that we all intrinsically know (even if we did not know that we knew!).
Detail
For the Logical Method, reality is comprised of truths or principles that, once properly articulated, can be taken for granted or are self-evident and universal in nature. So assumptions are generalized abstractions and their reality is awaiting discovery.
For the Associative Method, the relevant reality is immediate, obvious and well-known or can be taken for granted. Assumptions, being situation- and group-based, are idiosyncratic and local. Reality is constructed to suit the particular situation and people involved.
LR: Conceptual
The Conceptual Method is about representing reality via theoretical frameworks, which assumes that its most important features can be conceived. That demands the use of language to investigate.
Detail
Reality is both discovered and constructed via propositions. Speculative conceptions are presented as a discovery: often an unexpected observation or a statistical relation or an intuitive connection. Such propositions can become a subject of debate and further investigation. When a proposition is established as part of a theoretical framework, it represents a particular construction of reality. This constructed quality is the basis for conflict amongst paradigms and theoretical frameworks.
UL: Universal — Mythic
It appears that these methods regard reality as something that requires presentation and social appreciation. That means it can be regarded as already received. Language then affirms the relevant reality of feelings and values.
Detail
For the Universal Method, the only reality that deserves notice is that which touches on interests and sentiments which are a given. The most important use of reality is to affirm values of the community. So affirmations are explicitly or implicitly persuasive, and the relevant reality is awaiting discovery, for example, by journalists or politicians.
For the Mythic Method, mundane reality exists to be transcended so as to reach a higher or deeper reality that is closer to human aspirations and can be taken as given. Affirmations are incontrovertible and reality is constructed to reflect and realize human dreams.
Dealing with an Unknown
Dealing with an unknown means developing knowledge about a portion of reality using language.
If we start with a situation that is wholly unknown, the first task in communicating about it necessarily involves exploration.
Detail
Exploring requires perception (UR): typically that involves getting some holistic intuitive sense of the matter (Gestalt), and detailed listing of specifics associated with it (Concrete).
Once the unknown is revealed, the next step is to evaluate the account for its relevance and interest.
Detail
Evaluating involves affirming (UL): which depends on applying relevant given values. Absolutes (Mythic) and human needs (Universal language) determine whether and how the account is of interest or importance and shape evaluation.
If the account is affirmed as real and important, then the next step is to develop understanding.
Detail
Understanding means confirming (LL): the account of reality must make sense to be acceptable for any particular person. That depends on passing various criteria (Logical) to ensure it is not dressed-up nonsense, and fitting into a world of idiosyncratic personal meaning (Associative).
There may be no wish to understand, particularly if the evaluation is indifferent or negative. Only when there is a basic shared understanding, does the urge to incorporate the unknown into the existing body of knowledge.
Detail
Incorporation requires investigation (LR), which can be hard specialized work. It involves both a rational analysis of accounts and of the reality that is purported to be represented. Ideas get converted into concepts and linked to existing concepts. Re-conceptualization may occur when attempts are made to fit the anomaly into an existing theoretical framework.
Incorporation opens up possibilities which leads to further exploration and the cycle continues.
Originally posted: 27-Aug-2016. Last updated: 28 Feb-2023.