papers
gravesian research
clare w. graves
Graves' Emergent Cyclical Levels of Existence Theory: An Integral Analysis
The work of Dr. Clare W. Graves will potentially be seen as the most significant research done in the 20th century towards a systems conception of adult psychological development. It is also likely that this work will eventually lead the lists of widely miss-interpreted and misapplied theoretical models of the human condition. With the publication of his collected thoughts in The Never Ending Quest (Graves 2005) we have the opportunity to revisit his work as an integral whole for the first time.
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Gravesian Levels of Existence: An AQAL 4Q Representation
The difficulty we have in understanding Clare Graves' Emergent Cyclical Levels of Existence Theory is that it is easy to be confused in the labels he uses. Can we discern the difference between extistential states, social structures, values systems, levels of existence, cultural values, neurological biopsychosocial coping systems and psychological capacity. Graves' theory as a composite bio-psycho-social-cultural model was developed 20 years prior to the use of the language of Integral Theory. How should we see the lines of trees in the forest of confusion?
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The Research of Clare W. Graves: The Eightfold Path
This article proposes eight steps in the path to the platform from which to view the work of Clare W. Graves, not as a prescription, but simply as a metaphor to assist the traveler. The Eightfold Path consists of eight steps in three stages:
·
Right View, Right Intention (Wisdom Paths),
· Right Speech, Right Action,
Right Livelihood (Ethical Conduct Paths),
· Right Effort, Right Mindfulness,
Right Concentration (Mental Development Paths).
Each provides a necessary element in a complete understanding of the whole. They are not a sequence of single steps, but instead form interdependent principles of mind, body and spirit in contemplation, perception and practice. They are illustrated here by one person's reading of Graves' research.
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The Antelope and the Rock: Eight Emergent Levels of Conceptual Complexity
We have since the early days of our anthropological past used all our thinking
to survive and make sense of our world. As different degrees of social complexity
have become part of our modern society, different types of cognitive complexity
have also emerged. This paper draws together in a complementary way the work of
leading researchers and commentators in the fields of evolutionary psychology,
neurology, thinking skills, integral theory, social foresight and biopsychosocial
systems evolution to map our progress so far. Presented
at the 12th International Conference on Thinking, Melbourne, Australia, July 2005.
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Gravesian Levels of Existence: An Energy Matrix
There is a proposition that consciousness in the human form utilizes the same psychological energy at all levels, only in completely different ways. The premise is that the psychological energy expression and consumption at each level of consciousness has the same meta-pattern within that level. The artifacts of energy expression provide clues to the psychological dynamics of different levels of existence. The pictorial representation of fictional energy patterns are of the combined pattern of expression-consumption of psychological energy over periods of psychological time.
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Gravesian Theory: An Alignment Matrix of 75 Developmental Lines
To undertake an AQAL inquiry a number of lines for each level in all quadrants need to be considered. An alignment matrix comparing the research work of Clare W. Graves to 75 developmental lines is provided. The matrix adopts the same convention established by Graves of using single word-terms to identify the full complexity of meaning of the manifestation of artifacts of development at all the levels of existence.
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The Third Evolution: The Emergence of Humanity (Work in Progress)
This book outlines the evolutionary progression of humanity from primordial existence to our near future. Chapters one to five provide a summary of the emergence of everything, the biological evolution of the human mind, the sociobiological evolution of human society and the emergence of human consciousness. In chapters six to nineteen the map of human emergence is expanded and the system dynamics that represent our present biopsychosocial existence are described. The implications are that a new form of philosophical inquiry is required to see and assist with the 'health of the whole' and in chapters twenty to thirty six the principles of apithological inquiry are explained. The book concludes with the paths to the emergence that enable man as a species to become the species of humanity.
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