Speculative Conjectures about Responsibility Arenas

Systems Thinking

In a taxonomy, the combination of similarity and differences fosters understanding. Because the PH'5-Q• hierarchies identify 7 similar and inter-related arenas, it is worthwhile conjecturing about comparisons, even at this early stage of investigations.

Resonance phenomena and the systemic quality of THEE also mean that developments in one framework can support discovery or correct errors in another framework.

The matrices shown below represent the conjectures current at 30-Sep-2015. They will be periodically updated as formulations are corrected and refined.

Conjectures about the Arenas of Responsibility

This matrix specifies the key features of the PH'5Q-Arenas of Work. The columns capture:

• Work Arena is the name given to the form of association based on the way language is used.
  

• Survival Criterion refers to the function of the PH'5Q-arena and the primary concern of those working within it.

• Work Dynamic refers to the control of work outputs in the PH'5Q-arena.

• Group Survival Pressure is based on a neuro-biologically-derived psychosocial pressure experienced by the group as a whole.

• Member Work Pressure is based on a neuro-biologically-derived psychosocial pressure experienced by members of the group.
  

	Work Arena	Survival Criterion	Work Dynamic	Group Survival Pressure	Member Work Pressure
Q7	Artistic Events	Aesthetic gratification	Dedication	Selflessness	Acceptability
Q6	Spiritual Traditions	Personal liberation	Connection	Autonomy	Well-Being
Q5	Philosophy Schools	Humane awareness	Orthodoxy	Understanding	Certainty
Q4	Societal Institutions	Minimum standards	Consent	Well-Being	Autonomy
Q3	Academic Disciplines	Validated rationality	Credibility	Acceptability	Selflessness
Q2	Formal Organizations	Economic viability	Accountability	Certainty	Performance
Q1	Family Households	Genuine mutual care	Responsiveness	Performance	Understanding

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Conjectures about Arena Interaction

Each Arena brings something significant. When an institution seeks an output that belongs primarily to another domain, different but related organisations of responsibility emerge. The matrix below gives examples.

Note that many entities are a mix. For example, a business school may be a bureaucratic enterprise, offer relevant academic disciplines, expose students to different schools of philosophy, and provide a supportive college environment.

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Conjectures about Arena-based Businesses

The necessity to make money has encouraged the entry of commercial values into the various work arenas. This matrix suggests the commercial outputs and gives some current examples.

The basis for evaluation in each arena remains and is used to judge the value and quality of the product or service, independently of its commercial success. When financial success violates the domain values, then

	Work Arena	Commercial Outputs	Examples	Basis of Evaluation	Notes (see more in next Matrix)
Q7	Artistic Productions	Fine art products artistic events & performances.		Aesthetic criteria	Concern for aesthetics in other domains may be low.
Q6	Spiritual Traditions	Spiritual products and services		Personal liberation	Concern for the human spirit in other domains may be low.
Q5	Philosophy Schools	Educational products and services		Humane awareness	Concern for wisdom in other domains may be low.
Q4	Societal Institutions	Social/societal products and services	Blockbuster films, legal services, publishing.	Ethical standards	Concern for ethical standards in other domains may be low.
Q3	Academic Disciplines	Intellectual products and services	Software technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology.	Validated rationality	Concern for rationality in other domains may be low.
Q2	Formal Organizations	Tangible products and services.	Retailing, mining, construction, health-care, beverages.	Viable economics	There is always concern for economic viability in all domains.
Q1	Family Households	Nurturing and befriending services.	Fostering, child-minding.	Genuine caring	Concern for caring in other domains may be low.

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Priority Concerns

Initial speculations on priority given to the various values.

QH	Work Arena	Mutual Care	Economic Viability	Validated Rationality	Ethical Standards	Humane Wisdom	Human Spirit	Aesthetics
7	Artistic Productions	Varies	Minimal	Low	Relevant	Varies	High	ESSENTIAL
6	Spiritual Traditions	Varies	Minimal	Varies	High	High	ESSENTIAL	Low
5	Philosophy Schools	High	Low	High	High	ESSENTIAL	High	Varies
4	Societal Institutions	Varies	Low	Low	ESSENTIAL	Low	Varies	Low
3	Academic Disciplines	Absent	Low	ESSENTIAL	Varies	Varies	Low	Varies
2	Formal Organizations	Low Priority	ESSENTIAL	High	Varies	Low	Low	Low
1	Family Households	ESSENTIAL	High	Low	Varies	Varies	Varies	Low

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Resonance

The domain of work that we choose penetrates our life deeply. It would not be surprising to find resonances with other identity-defining mentalities within THEE. The suggestions offered here require more investigation.

	Work Arena	Interacting for Benefit	Ethical Choice	Identity Systems	Power
Q7	Artistic Productions			Social being
Q6	Spiritual Traditions	Reality-c	Transcendentalist	Transpersonal	Attracts Power
Q5	Philosophy Schools	Perspective-c Reality-c	Individualist	All (?)	Manages Power
Q4	Societal Institutions	Community-c Cause-centred	Pluralist/Legitimist Conventionalist	Social being	Attracts Power
Q3	Academic Disciplines	Cause-centred	Communalist	Individual being	Manages Power
Q2	Formal Organizations	Market-centred	Rationalist	Social being Individual being	Attracts Power
Q1	Family Households	Kinship-centred		Sensory being Vital being Emotional being	Manages Power

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TOP Note added Q1-2023: These PH'5Q arenas are now formally identified as Arenas of Association. The reason for this and the relation to work and responsibility are explained in the section on Q-expansions in the Architecture Room.

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Originally posted: 26-Oct-2015. Last updated: 28-Mar-2023