Checking Other Hierarchy Forms

Question & Answer

Is «forced reversal» a general phenomenon of all THEE hierarchies?

The tentative conclusion from this initial survey is that forcible reversal does not apply other than in Primary Hierarchies.

Many oscillating dualities have been provisionally determined. (They should be routinely identified, but this did not occur in earlier times.) Examples in my survey below have been restricted to frameworks within: Endeavour-RH, Action-RL1, Experience-RL4, Communication-RL5 and Purpose-RL6 where there is most confidence in current formulations.

The Root Hierarchy emanates the Primary Hierarchies, so its levels are internally complex. The 7 Primary Hierarchies contain the irreducible elements of the taxonomy. Other hierarchical frameworks derive from these, either as the Structural Hierarchy and mostly via the Principal Typology. So all levels in other frameworks refer to complicated entities.

As I have only offered assertions without argument or evidence, links are provided to allow you to review and check for yourself. I welcome alternative views.

Frameworks in the Survey

Root Hierarchy

Hierarchy of Endeavour (RH)

• This is a unique hierarchy and almost anything is possible. The levels have an enormous inner complexity and are referred to as realms
• The oscillating duality is: external-public (ODD) v internal-private (EVEN): see details here.
• Reversal of the duality might be desired and could be possible. However, there is no reason to think that it would change the element. A private action is still an action, a public inquiry is still an inquiry etc.

Typologies

Root

Primal Quests (RH')

• These are purposive systems that govern the happiness or meaning in a person's life.
• The matrix of oscillation focused on the direction of attention: ODD levels look inward (private and self-centric) and EVEN levels look outward (public and socio-centric). The creative element oscillated with this: discovery (ODD) or development (EVEN).
• It is difficult to envisage a reversal.

Principal Typology

Approaches to Stabilization (PH'4)

• The 7 approaches initially published in Ch.7 of Working with Values as about identity development, were re-named and revised for web posting.
• The oscillating duality focuses on the sense of self which is diffuse and private (ODD) or distinct and public (EVEN).
• It is difficult to envisage how a reversal might occur.

Ethical Choice Approaches(PH'6)

• The 7 approaches are summarized on the website here, and full details can be found in Ch.7 of Working with Values, which can be downloaded here.
• The oscillating duality is teleological (ODD) v deontological (EVEN).
• It seems nonsensical to imagine a teleological approach becoming deontological or vice versa.

Subsidiary or Q-expansionTypology

Approaches to Managing (PH'5Q2t)

• This framework can be found in the Work & its Organisation satellite.
• The duality here is described as acceptance-adaptation (ODD) v inquiry-initiative (EVEN) cf. Spiral below.
• Reversal seems impossible.

Spiral-derived Hierarchy

Management culture leading to Achievement (PH'1C/PH'1CK)

• The duality in the achievement hierarchy is acceptance-adaptation (ODD) v clarification-formulation (EVEN)
• The odd levels demand recognition of an unknowable and unmanageable empirical reality, while the even levels permit creation of a unique, controllable psychosocial reality.
• I cannot imagine how this can reverse.

Political Maturation leading to Determinants of Political Choice (PH'6C/PH'6CK)

• The duality identified here is very similar to the above, perhaps fundamentally identical: acceptance-adaptation (ODD) v inquiry-initiative (EVEN).
• The odd levels are where politicians are forced to accept imperfections in the status quo; while even levels enable them to investigate and enable social improvements.
• As above, reversal seems impossible.

Structural Hierarchy

Root:   

• In Components of Creativity (RsH), the oscillating duality is formulated as a combination of two phenomena:
  • ODD-numbered Groupings use an inner-focus for experiences + an outer-focus for products.
  • EVEN-numbered Groupings use an outer-focus for experiences + an inner focus for products.

• In Producing Goodness( RsH"), as explained here, a combination of two phenomena is again identified:
  • ODD-numbered Groupings put the onus on me to affirm goodness and look outward.
  •  EVEN-numbered Groupings put the onus on me to affirm myself and look inwards.
• In both cases, reversal seems impossible.

Primary:

• An oscillating duality has not been identified in any PsH•

Spiral-derived:

• In  Expectations of Employment (PH'1CsH), the issue revolves around the locus of contol. The oscillating duality is formulated as personal affirmation (ODD) v management specification (EVEN)
• This reflects the employee v organization duality. It does not seem meaningful to reverse these: an employee cannot be the organization, nor can an organization function as an employee.

Q-expansion: 

• In Organizing Management (PH'5Q2sH), the ODD Groupings call for management initiation and the EVEN groupings call for management accommodation. Forcing a reversal does not seem meaningful.

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Originally posted:  10-May-2013. Last updated 26-April-2015