Primary Hierarchies & their Oscillation

Warning: I am using this page to refine names and naming. So it is possible that names shown here are not fully consistent with names in the topics that follow. In due course, there will be complete consistency.

Overview

This page lists the Primary Hierarchies without explanation of the meaning (function/properties) of the levels. Names of entities (nouns) and functions (verb phrases) are provided: see discussion. Not all names, especially for functions, are confirmed, developed and validated.

Oscillating dualities have a particular focus and are expressed in the form: 
Odd v Even. An oscillation cannot be formulated with more confidence than its Primary Hierarchy.

  • Links to further details are provided as available.

Action-PH1

The proposed oscillation seems to relate to a Locus of Control
Internal v External
.

L Entity Name Function Name Oscillation
7 Spontaneity Allow Spontaneity Internal
experience
6 Choice Determine a Choice External
constraints
5 Intervention Devise an Intervention Internal
appraisal
4 Response Deploy a Response External
stimuli
3 Technique Use a Technique Internal
system
2 Procedure Follow a Procedure External
demand
1 Movement Make a bodily Movement Internal
volition

Originally developed in the mid-1980's but not finalized or formally published.

» See analysis of forced reversal.

Inquiry-PH2

The proposed oscillation seems to relate to a Locus of Concern
Subjective v Objective
(or perhaps personal-internal v social-external).

L Entity Name Function Name Oscillation
7 Wonder Release Wonder Subjective
6 Judgement Justify a Judgement Objective
5 Relation Construct a Relation Subjective
4 Measurement Accept a Measurement Objective
3 Comparison Arrange a Comparison Subjective
2 Concept Define a Concept Objective
1 Data Collect the Data Subjective

Modfication of a framework originally published in two Systems Research papers, 1985 and 1988. Since then a variety of errors and inaccuracies have been identified and fixed.
See more in the Inquiry Satellite.

» See analysis of forced reversal.

Change-PH3

The proposed oscillation seems to relate to Continuity of State
Evolutionary v Preservative
.

L Entity Name Function Name Oscillation
7 Transformation Envisage Transformation Evolutionary
6 Representation Standardize Representation Preservative
5 Adaptation Organise Adaptation Evolutionary
4 Sustenance Ensure Sustenance Preservative
3 Improvement Determine an Improvement Evolutionary
2 Formation Specify a Form Preservative
1 Variation Introduce a Variation Evolutionary

The formulation of the entity names were updated in April-2024. However the oD developed as part of the present investigation did not need changing. At the time of this investigation, there has been no development of related structures other than the Principal Typology (unpublished).

» See analysis of forced reversal.

Experience-PH4

Proposed oscillation seems to relate to Quality or Boundaries of the experience:  Fuzzy v Distinct. But it might also relate to locus for triggering: internal v external.

L Entity Name Function Name Oscillation
7 Imagination Open the Imagination Diffuse-fuzzy & 
External
6 Identification Integrate an Identification Distinct-focused & 
Internal
5 Intuition Develop an Intuition Diffuse-fuzzy & 
External
4 Idea Embrace an Idea Distinct-focused & 
Internal
3 Emotion Contain an Emotion Diffuse-fuzzy & 
External
2 Image Focus an Image Distinct-focused & 
Internal
1 Sensation Enable a Sensation Diffuse-fuzzy & 
External

Some details available in Ch.7 Working with Values. Download here.

» See analysis of forced reversal.

Communication-PH5

The proposed oscillation seems to relate to Precision
Ambiguous v Definite
.

L Entity Name Function Name Oscillation
7 Openness Sustain Openness Indefinite &
Ambiguous
6 Meaning Assign a Meaning Definite & 
Unambiguous
5 Term Agree a Name Indefinite & 
Ambiguous
4 Symbol Appreciate a Symbol Definite & 
Unambiguous
3 Sign Interpret a Significance Indefinite & 
Ambiguous
2 Signal Establish a Signal Definite & 
Unambiguous
1 Stimulus Produce a Stimulus Indefinite & 
Ambiguous

Full details posted here as part of TOP.

» See analysis of forced reversal.

Purpose-PH6

The proposed oscillation seems to relate to Social Interaction
Integrative v Divisive
(or it might be inclusive v exclusive).

L Entity Name Function Name Oscillation
7 Ultimate Value Activate an Ultimate Value Inclusive & 
Integrative
6 Value System Adhere to a Value System Exclusive & 
Divisive
5 Social Value Share a Social Value Inclusive & 
Integrative
4 Principal Object Own a Principal Object Exclusive & 
Divisive
3 Internal Priority Install an Internal Priority Inclusive & 
Integrative
2 Strategic Objective Set a Strategic Objective Exclusive & 
Divisive
1 Tactical Objective Pursue a Tactical Objective Inclusive & 
Integrative

For full details of the Primary Hierarchy, see Ch.3-Ch.5 of Working with Values. Download here. The recent use of function-names is leading to further understanding, without significantly affecting existing formulations.

» See analysis of forced reversal.

Willingness-PH7

The proposed oscillation seems to relate to Social Process
Association v Dissociation.

L Entity Name Function Name Oscillation
7 Trust Extend Trust Association
6 Learning Embrace Learning Dissociation
5 Risk Tolerate Risk Association
4 Participation Welcome Participating Dissociation
3 Seeing Encourage Seeing Association
2 Believing Review Beliefs Dissociation
1 Trying Repeat Trying Association

This formulation was finalized as part of this inquiry project. Function and properties have received some initial structural validation. The level names have been subject to repeated adjustments.

» See analysis of forced reversal.


Each Primary Hierarchy will now be taken in turn. The oscillating duality will be imaginatively forced to reverse, and the taxonomic consequences identified.

  • Start with Action-PH1.
  • More details on the individual Primary Hierarchies are available in the investigation of the Root Projection.

Originally posted:  10-May-2013. Last amended: 17-Apr-2015.
Regularly changes made since 2015 to PH7.