Reversal of Oscillation in Change-PH3

The development of the 3rd Primary Hierarchy is in its infancy. There is still doubt about the formal name (e.g. it seems too much like the name for its 2nd level). Is the hierarchy about "identity" or "state" or "existence" or "system-environment interaction".

A hierarchy related to change was identified initially through discovery of a Principal Typology. However, it seems that the natural ordering there was misleading. Formulations of the levels (indicated but not explained below) are being actively developed during this project, and so this page has had more changes than usual.

As a result, the oscillation here is uncertain. It seems to be about interaction with the environment or possibly continuity. Does the element enable or stimulate evolutionary development? Or does it preserve and protect what exists during such change? Does it address and lead to the new or value and protect the old?

April-2024: Levels 4 and 5 have been altered
based on latest investigations.

This polarization is captured here as:
evolutionary (ODD) v preservative (EVEN).

Variation-L1

Variation-L1 is naturally evolutionary because small adjustments and minor deviations, none of which are necessarily viewed as permanent or significant, all add up over time. Minor differences in one part of a system can lead via obscure and unexpected interactions to changes elsewhere, ultimately affecting the whole.

However: Variations preserve the status quo when they are applied spontaneously as a response to minor buffeting. Spontaneous adjustments in dynamic situations maintain equilibrium and ensure you stay on course.

Example:

When you drive somewhere, you make a myriad of adjustments to your speed and direction semi-automatically in order to handle traffic, avoid potholes and so on. These variations have no specific effect on your journey except to ensure you get where you want to go safely.

Conversion: Variations that are preservative express spontaneity-L7 and operate in the realm of Action-PH1.

Alteration-L2

Alteration-L2 is naturally preservative because specific changes of this sort always occur within a given stable situation and ensure adherence to current values. The conservative and protective quality at this level permits such changes to happen without excessive opposition.

However:  Alterations may be deliberately used in a subtle strategic way to enable evolutionary development in a situation that is experienced as natural. Considerable imagination is required to produce such an outcome

Example:

Systemicist decision-making is about making small changes that nevertheless trigger a balanced development of the whole organization. Few managers can work this way: it requires an imaginative appreciation of both socio-technical and personal factors, and how they are likely to interact.

Conversion: Using alterationto evolve positively is an expression of imagination-L7, which lies in the realm of Experience-PH4.

Improvement-L3

Improvement-L3 (or reform as it was formally named) is naturally evolutionary because it is directly about operating on the forms-L2 in the current situation. It focuses on a coherent part of the given stable state so as to make it better.

However: When deeply important values are at stake, improvement may be activated to sustain and preserve the existing system against dynamic forces, both internal and external.

Example:

When faced with intractable social issues like the West's current debt crisis, governments commonly institute reforms based on values like integrity, stability, social peace, unity, fairness. The improvements are superficial, meaningless or just "kick the can down the road" and avoid the temporary turmoil of genuine change, turmoil which would lead to the certain eviction of the incumbent politicians.

Conversion: Improvement that is actively preservative is presented as an expression of ultimate values-L7 which are found within the realm of Purpose-PH6.

Sustenance-L4

Sustenance-L4 is naturally preservative because it is the basis for ensuring continuity in support of an identity. Sustainability is the central focus for all changes, large and small, and the availability of resources is a central concern.

However:  A persistent major disruption, like a social force in society or loss of an essential resource, may mean that the entity simply cannot be sustained. It is soon recognized that "to remain as we are, many things will have to change." Such sustenance calls for a movement to a new state. This evolutionarydemand requires a willingness to trust that this will work out somehow and that the essence of the initial identity will not be lost.

Example:

During personal maturation, it is never clear how things will work out, given the inner and outer forces in play. Sustaining personal identity is possible by refusing to grow and implementing rigid controls. However, the goal for a more meaningful identity involves finding new resources and activities that allow you to be true to who you are. This manifests as a willingness to trust the process as you grow and learn.

Conversion: Sustenance that generates evolution is an expression of trust-L7 in the realm of Willingness-PH7.

Adaptation-L5

Adaptation-L5 is naturally evolutionary because the entity deliberately changes itself and the internal or environmental challenges forcing adaptation continually emerge. Altering the entity to handle these uncontrollable elements in a dynamic environment is always a risk .

However: adaptation may be used to preserve the status quo and resist necessary change, but that is puzzling. It leads us to wonder about what is actually going on and provokes investigation.

Example:

Socio-political and technology shifts mean that governments periodically confront issues that cannot be directly controlled and require handling. They promise to take matters in hand and adapt positively. However, despite numerous initiatives to adapt to these social forces, it often appears that nothing much changes except on the margin. People wonder why the problems persist: is it cultural? is it corruption? is it incompetence? is it vested interests? is it a failure to grasp the issues? There is often a call for yet another public inquiry.

Conversion: Adaptation that is preservative leads to wonder-L7 which is within the realm of Inquiry-PH2.

Representation-L6

Representation-L6 is naturally preservative because it is about providing an account of both actual and potential states. The act of representation allows distance from current and future events and sustains order.

However:  If the representations are themselves part of the process of change and antagonistic to the current order, then they entail a re-thinking or re-modelling that is evolutionary, even transformative.

Example:

History is rewritten every generation to reflect the tenor of the present and is therefore socially preservative. However, a history may be written to promote a change agenda, e.g. by showing injustice or predicting an unpleasant transformed future. Books like this find it hard to get published, even if by highly respectable authors like Lord William Rees Mogg. His books, written with James Dale Davidson, focused on the shift of power in societies. Written during an era of heady enthusiasm, they predicted financial turmoil and social catastrophe, much of which came to pass in the early 21st century.

Conversion: Representations that are intrinsically evolutionary remain in the realm of Change-PH3, but they are expressions of transformation-L7.

Transformation-L7

Transformation-L7 is naturally evolutionary because it builds on the best of what exists in order to create something that is utterly new.

However:  Something can going seriously wrong within a system, and transformative change is then needed to preserve the system. (This is the opposite of handling stabilization given overwhelming impersonal forces.) In such a case, openness is required to enable discussion that touches on highly sensitive issues and respects entrenched views.

Example:

The Roman Catholic church has been racked in recent decades by sexual crimes and financial corruption. It cannot go on as it is: it must transform itself. But to do so requires openness rather than denial and obfuscation. That alone makes it possible to explore how the Church can be renewed and reaffirmed. Changes, that were previously unthinkable, are likely to occur.

Conversion: Transformation that is preservative is an expression of openness-L7 in the realm of Communication-PH5.

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Summary of the Results of Forcing a Reversal

L	Name	Natural Oscillation	Conversion on Forcible Reversal
			New Element	Primary Hierarchy
7	Transformation	Evolutionary	→ openness-L7	in PH5-Communication
6	Representation	Preservative	→ transformation-L7	in PH3-Change
5	Stabilization	Evolutionary	→ wonder-L7	in PH2-Inquiry
4	Sustenance	Preservative	→ trust-L7	in PH7-Willingness
3	Improvement	Evolutionary	→ ultimate value-L7	in PH6-Purpose
2	Alteration	Preservative	→ imagination-L7	in PH4-Experience
1	Variation	Evolutionary	→ spontaneity-L7	in PH1-Action

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• Now consider Experience-PH4 in the same way.

Originally posted:  11-October-2013. Last amended: 15-May-2024.