Taxonomy Jargon

This page provides quick access to all the jargon-like terms necessary for developing the Taxonomy. Till you are familiar with them, you may wish to leave this page permanently open in its own window for quick easy reference.

  • An alternative to a THEE formal name, that recognizes popular usage and that might be more suitable in certain situations. Cf. informal name, synonym.
  • The use of all or part of a THEE framework to clarify or design within a particular social context, or within a specific frame of reference.
  • The theoretical correlate of a THEE Type
  • The clash between the two sets of approaches situated on the diagonals drawn on a Typology-Essences Table that plots all Types from a Typology.
  • The pattern of structures within the Taxonomy.
  • A way of functioning that incorporates or synthesizes two opposing modes within a dynamic duality.
  • Level in a hierarchy whose contents are expressed and used in two sharply distinct modes linked by a channel of reciprocal influence.
  • Pure concept based on imaginatively seeing and understanding, and therefore independent of any example that can be objectively observed and counted. Syn. Class
  • THEE term for a specific location that can be indexed. Each cell has a unique formula assigned, without implying knowledge of the actual entity (category) in psychosocial reality that is represented by the formula.
  • Simultaneous reference to the THEE location and the real world phenomenon to which it refers.
  • A psychosocial state contained within a THEE Tree and found within a level of a holistic hierarchy. Its formation and functioning is determined by the dynamic duality and by channels linking it to other centres in the same Tree.
  • Connections of mutual influence between Centres in a Tree. Syn. path
  • Arrangements of things according to their category.
  • The necessary internal order of a structure: an essential requirement to stabilize identity.
  • The hypothetical process by which a Hierarchy collapses into a single Cell—the reverse of emanation.
  • Hierarchy which increases in size as new levels are progressively added paralleling a modification in the nature of the entity.
  • Taxonomic entities emerging from and constructed out of other taxonomic entities and so adding a further depth or perspective to the handling of that topic or entity.
  • How things change through time: contrasted with synchronic.
  • Definer of the Approach Duality in a Typology Essences Table (TET).
  • A whole that is divided into two parts that are, therefore, mutually exclusive and jointly exhaustive.
  • A field of interest or activity.
  • Any dialectic, dualism, dichotomy or other division into two opposing or opposite poles. In THEE, the two linked poles represent a perennial and inescapable human dilemma, and are therefore often the source of imbalance, misunderstanding, and social conflict.
  • A grouping of two adjacent levels within a Structural Hierarchy derived from a THEE holistic hierarchy; there are six dyads.
  • Dualities that generate Trees from holistic hierarchies only (i.e. not Principal Typologies). The two poles are fused at Levels 1, 2, 4 and 7. The duality generates distinct psychosocial forms in levels 3, 5 and 6, with one pole being dominant over the other.
  • Fundamental component of any system (cf. entity), but commonly used to refer to levels in Primary Hierarchies.
  • The hypothetical process by which a Hierarchy emerges from a certain Cell, is perceivable within that Cell, or replaces that Cell by specifying in a different more specific fashion everything that could be contained within it; the reverse of Condensation.
  • The reality that exists independently of human or social agency. It is different to psychosocial reality in that (a) it is unknowable (Kant), (b) it's contents cannot be created or destroyed by human agency (conservation laws).
  • A relation within a Hierarchy in which a Cell at a higher level includes a cell at a lower level.
  • A psychosocial category i.e. referring to phenomena that exist both privately within a person (consciously or unconsciously) and in the external (shareable) social world.
  • Fundamental or central identity-defining feature.
  • The creation of a social entity based on considering what is right and good.
  • An instance or case of some category. Examples of THEE entities are necessary but misleading because of the difficulty in discerning what aspects of the instance are fundamental and what are contingent on the situation or time and therefore irrelevant.
  • The two axes of the Typology Essences Table that define psychosocial functioning by specifying the desired output or result that is socially significant, and the required input that is personal or psychological.
  • Giving an example to explain an idea, entity or category.
  • Taxonomic entity, emphasizing its pattern or structure, to distinguish it from THEE processes that act on forms to create other forms.
  • The use of terms (words) for entities chosen to provide immediate meaning. Syn. THEE-name. Formal names cannot be guaranteed to be unique cf. formula.
  • Index whose specific order of specific letters and specific numbers represents a single taxonomic Cell unambiguously, and determines a precise location of the corresponding entity within THEE.
  • An articulation of the essential nature of something, hence the scientific basis of THEE. Formulations of function and properties of entities are offered to enable criticism and refinement.
  • The particular practical or theoretical context or focus relevant to a discussion or explanation.
  • a) THEE form dealing with a particular topic. b) An organized system of concepts that constrains and channels a variety of understandings (or models) possible in any situation.
  • The useful contribution to personal or social life provided by a particular psychosocial phenomenon and hence the reason for its existence and persistence. THEE entities are defined by their function.
  • The triplet of Vehicle, Effect and Field found in a Domain.
  • A set of adjacent levels in a holistic Hierarchy which, when taken together, define a new entity corresponding to a distinct psychosocial phenomenon. Groups exist within groupings.
  • A qualifying property of a level within a group in a Structural Hierarchy i.e. formula-dependent, and not linked to a particular cell-entity.(Formula = g)
  • Combination of a certain number of adjacent levels in a holistic Hierarchy that categorizes and illuminates a distinctive psychosocial phenomenon that is a level within a Structural Hierarchy.
  • A grouping of all seven (adjacent) levels within a Structural Hierarchy derived from a THEE holistic hierarchy; there is one heptad.
  • A grouping of six adjacent levels within a Structural Hierarchy derived from a THEE holistic hierarchy; there are two hexads.
  • A system whose elements are Levels: the dominant form within THEE contains 7 Levels.
  • A hierarchy whose Levels imply and/or assume each other and so provide for the possibility of inter-level relationships. All THEE hierarchies are either holistic or capable of a transformation to become holistic.
  • The website within the TOP cluster whose topics cover general issues and principles relevant to all THEE frameworks.
  • The unvarying quality of an entity that gives it uniqueness and sameness in the eyes of an observer (including self-observation). Any identity is based in coherence, continuity and value.
  • A relation within a hierarchy in which a cell-entity requires or assumes the existence of cells-entities of a similar sort at a higher or a lower level.
  • See: formula.
  • A social entity capable of owning purposes and being responsible for their pursuit.
  • Term chosen for a THEE entity by individuals or groups irrespective of consistency, coherence, or wider concordance.
  • See: relation
  • A context-content dichotomy that is found in any THEE holistic hierarchy by dividing it into an upper 3 Levels of context and a lower 4 Levels of content.
  • A Level within a group in a Structural Hierarchy with its own distinct quality depending on its position.
  • A tier in a hierarchy. In THEE, Levels correspond to qualitatively distinct types of the same psychosocial phenomenon (category).
  • A display of formulations (propositions) where columns usually contain properties, and rows define Levels or types.
  • Mindset or way of thinking that corresponds to a theoretical paradigm or approach as specified within THEE Typologies.
  • An actual system of inter-linked problems.
  • Viewing THEE from the outside in order to ask questions or develop theories about its overall nature, or its internal forms and processes.
  • The set of 4 hierarchical Styles when using a Type, only known to be applicable to Types of the Root Hierarchy and Principal Typologies.
  • Contextual values characteristic of Types that are acceptable to all even if methods defined by the Types are unacceptable.
  • A representation or systemic account of an entity, event or situation.
  • A group of one level within a Structural Hierarchy derived from a THEE holistic hierarchy; there are seven monads.
  • Confirmation of THEE based on independent consultants and researchers identifying and describing phenomena similarly to THEE's specification, often using identical or near-identical names and descriptions.
  • A reference to something definite in psychosocial reality.
  • A process of identification i.e. to use something, typically a word, to make specific reference to an object of experience–outer, inner, virtual, imaginary–for use in a social context; or regard it as so doing.
  • A relation where a hierarchy exists wholly within a Level of another hierarchy. Nesting found within the 6th Level does not exclude other examples within that level. (By contrast, the lower 6 Levels (Groupings) of a Structural Hierarchy contain nested hierarchies that are exclusive.
  • The duality generated in all THEE hierarchies by the odd-numbered levels and the even-numbered levels.
  • A grouping of five adjacent levels within a Structural Hierarchy derived from a THEE holistic hierarchy; there are three pentads
  • See: stage
  • Asserting a preferred pole of a duality together with a rejection of the opposite pole.
  • One half of a duality that is an opposite or in conflict with the other half.
  • The hierarchy that is emanated by a Level of the Root Hierarchy.
  • The nested Typology in the 6th level of a Primary Hierarchy.
  • The way that psychosocial entities form other entities or influence each other.
  • Attributes of entities that complement and elaborate the function and may be useful for discrimination and recognition.
  • Formulation of any entity or any of its properties that requires validation, and therefore may require alteration as more clarification or knowledge is developed.
  • The combination of a psychological or private mental state and a social or public correlate of that state.
  • A reality that is distinct from empirical reality and which we all use to operate on empirical reality. Its differences include: it can be known, it can be created, and it can in part be personally owned and kept private.
  • Q-domain: One of 7 arenas of psychosocial functioning formed by the Q-expansion of a Principal Typology.
  • 28-level hierarchy formed by applying a 4-level Style Hierarchy to all Types (Levels) in a Principal Typology.
  • Q-hierarchy = a 7-level holistic hierarchy whose levels form from a SubsidiaryTypology created by a Q-expansion of a Principal Typology.
  • Q-Spiral = Developmental spiral formed by the Subsidiary Typology generated by a Q-expansion.
  • Q-Structural Hierarchy = Structural Hierarchy generated by a Q-hierarchy within a Q-expansion.
  • One of four equal parts of a Typology Essences Table created by dividing each axis into high and low zones.
  • Essential requirement for engagement with THEE and for ethical design.
  • The process whereby one entity affects (i.e. influences) another entity.
  • The variable experience of similarity between psycho-social phenomena that corresponds to the degree of similarity in formulae.
  • What emanates the whole of the taxonomy, and named: Will. (Syn. origin.)
  • The location in THEE of the Root.
  • The holistic hierarchy emanated by the Root Cell that defines elements of endeavour (or levels of Will).
  • The nested hierarchy of Types within the 6th Level of Will.
  • Part of the THEE-online website where announcements are posted and forums are organized.
  • Reference to a set of frameworks covering a particular THEE-Topic.
  • The complementary Type to a person's main Type found on the other diagonal and providing balance in the Approach Duality. Typically, the two Types share a common location on one of the Axes.
  • Development through time as predicted by spirals of growth that are noticeable and predictable within persons, groups, organizations or societies.
  • The trajectory drawn on a TET that shows how contextual values of the plotted Types may be cumulatively incorporated over time.
  • The holistic hierarchy formed from aspects of the Spiral Modes (following transformation of the Principal Typology, or the direct plotting of a Subsidiary Typology), and also the Structural Hierarchy derived from that and the Tree based on the Structural Hierarchy.
  • The discontinuous states that trace out a Spiral of growth (maturation).
  • Form of validation for THEE propositions that flows from the way structural elements and derived structures fit naturally together, and illuminate an aspect of psychosocial reality. Correspondingly, structural checks may invalidate propositions or names.
  • A 7-level hierarchy formed from a holistic hierarchy by combining all possible adjacent entities in Groupings of progressively larger size.
  • Stable entity defined by the pattern of its constituent elements.
  • Variants found in Subsidiary Typologies; there are 4 Styles for each Type in a Principal Typology.
  • Subsidiary Type = Type created by 4-level Style Hierarchy applied to a Principal Typology.
  • The Typologies formed following a Q-expansion of a Principal Typology, and containing Style variants of its Types.
  • How things are at the same point in time: contrasted with diachronic.
  • Natural language name that is often used for a specific THEE entity, but is better assigned elsewhere in THEE or not used as a formal name.
  • Structure whose elements interact dynamically.
  • Some THEE entities exist both singly and as a set or system, and the latter is often given a distinct name e.g. rule and code.
  • Associated with attention to all elements, their structured interaction and the identity of the whole; to be distinguished from ‘systematic’ (cf. systematization).
  • Any mental content that is consciously or unconsciously chosen to affect another mental content, your own or somebody else's.
  • A formal specification of how to represent every thing that exists in a particular area of interest, including the relationships that hold among those things. Syn. Ontology.
  • A 7-level hierarchy nested within the 6th level of the Root Typology and Principal Typologies.
  • See: Tertiary Hierarchy
  • Abbreviation for the 2x2 Typology Essences Table.
  • A grouping of four adjacent levels within a Structural Hierarchy derived from a THEE holistic hierarchy; there are four tetrads.
  • Acronym of: Taxonomy of Human Elements in Endeavour. This taxonomy is a comprehensive, dynamic ordering of the human factors which make up, energize and contextualize our personal endeavours and those of our organizations and societies. Autonomy, responsibility and reflection enables effective use of THEE.
  • See: formal name
  • A topic whose name is a THEE-name and which has its own framework or set of frameworks.
  • A form within THEE.
  • Acronym for: THEE Online Project
  • Non-specific term that might refer to one or more webpages or just a subject of general interest.
  • Knowledge of regularities not developed within any particular social science discipline and not contradicting findings of any specific discipline, but relevant to them all.
  • The structure formed by applying the appropriate Dynamic Duality to a holistic hierarchy. Trees contain 10 Centres with 22 Channels of mutual influence between them.
  • A grouping of three adjacent levels within a Structural Hierarchy derived from a THEE holistic hierarchy; there are five triads.
  • A level in a Typology that corresponds in social life with a Mentality or Approach, and contributes to personal identity; cf. Style.
  • A 7-level hierarchy of Types that is either the Root Typology, a Principal Typology, or a Subsidiary Typology.
  • A 2x2 table formed from plotting THEE types in terms of the executing duality of the Typology within its psychosocial domain. Its acronym is TET. The TET reveals that Types fall in distinct quadrants, have diagonals that form an Approach Duality, and Concentric Circles that become an Internal Duality in the hierarchy derived from the Spiral of Growth.
  • A duality, often called a 'dialectic', that enables or forces progression through different levels or systems to overcome its limitations. The polar conflict characterizing any particular level may be managed at that level, resolved by moving to a higher level or avoided by moving to a lower level.
  • See: Condensation
  • Partial or complete confirmation of the accuracy or correctness of a proposition or conjecture.
  • Characterization of a cell-entity in THEE that exists as a potential in a psychosocial situation even though it is not evident or constantly in use.