Toward a Unifying Worldview: Reconciling Differences Dr. Rodney H. Clarken Northern Michigan University Presented at the Domestic Diversity Institute,

Toward a Unifying Worldview: Reconciling Differences

Dr. Rodney H. ClarkenNorthern Michigan University

Presented at the Domestic Diversity Institute, Marquette, MI, September 15, 2005

© Rodney H. Clarken 2005 2

This presentation explores

• human differences through eight worldviews, how they influence social dynamics and how our understanding of them can lead to increased development and unity in diversity.


It is based on

• “The Emergent, Cyclical, Double-Helix Model of Adult Biopsychosocial Systems Development” developed by Clare Graves, later renamed “The Theory of Levels of Human Existence” and further explicated by his students, Don Beck and Chris Cowan, in Spiral Dynamics. It has been field tested around the world and can be applied to individual and collective systems.

© Rodney H. Clarken 2005 4•Amazon_com Books Spiral Dynamics Mastering Values, Leadership, and Change (Developmental Management).htm


Memes and vMEMES

• Memes: self-replicating ideas or cultural DNA, beliefs and actions that use the human mind as a host and are transmitted from mind to mind, culture to culture, like viruses; horizontal differences among human beings, such as culture, color, gender, religious beliefs, actions, lifestyles, etc.

• vMEMES: vertical differences, such as deep-level belief systems, core ways of thinking.

• For source material for this and several following slides, see references at end and http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/IEC/caleb.html


We look different because of our genes;

• we think and act different because of our memes. Our genes are only surface horizontal differences. It is the deep, memetic, bio-psycho-social-spiritual forces on the vertical axis that attract and repel humanity. Racism and the other isms manifest them selves differently depending on the level they are located.

• Most diversity training deals with memes--horizontal surface values--not vMEMES--vertical inner values, core intelligences, conceptual schemes and frameworks--worldviews--from which emerge the surface differences for beliefs and behaviors


Horizontal and Vertical Memes

• Biology exacerbates racism and sexism by providing physical markers, which separate us first in our minds. Out of these mental constructs come the social constructs that then separate us in society and are undergirded by power for the preservation of privilege. Both of these constructs, however, are merely surface issues, differences in one dimension. The problem with the usual approaches in diversity training to resolve discrimination and conflict is that they focus is on the surface container (e.g., race, gender) rather than on the contents of the container (value systems-how people think and act in terms of the world they are in). The result is a failure to recognize that racism and diversity function on two dimensions.


This presentation attempts to

• shift the focus from the WHAT of human behavior, the surface issues, beliefs, actions, artifacts, and values-the memes-that fragment or unify human groups, to the WHY and HOW of such behavior-the vMEMEs - the core value systems or worldviews awakened by changing life conditions and manifested as a dynamic spiral of levels of human existence that transcend race, gender, class and other surface differences.


Human behavior tends to oscillate between two forms of action

• “me” : focus on the individual, the inner world, and attempts to come to peace with it; independence; express self belief & behavior;

• “we” : focus on the group, the external world and attempts to change it; interdependence; sacrifice self belief & behavior;

© Rodney H. Clarken 2005 10•http://www.empowermentillustrated.com/SpiralDynamics.htm


Our worldviews change as conditions of existence change

• Our feelings, motivations, ethics and values, biochemistry, degree of neurological activation, learning systems, belief systems, concepts of mental health, ideas as to what mental illness is and how it should be treated, preference for and conceptions of management, education, economic and political theory and practice are all appropriate to our particular worldview.


vMEMEs COLOR THEME FOCUS VALUE SYSTEMS

LEVEL 1 BEIGE SurvivalSense "ME" Group bands together to stay alive

LEVEL 2 PURPLE KinSpirits "WE" The sense of family-tribe with time honored

LEVEL 3 RED PowerGods "ME" Power-action driven, egocentric

LEVEL 4 BLUE TruthForce "WE" Purposeful, absolutist, "one right way"

LEVEL 5 ORANGE StriveDrive "ME" Entrepreneurial,materialistic,success-driven

LEVEL 6 GREEN HumanBond "WE" Community,harmony,equality,relativistic

LEVEL 7 YELLOW FlexFlow "ME" Natural processes, mutual realities; live for

mutuality

LEVEL 8TURQUOISE

GlobalView "WE" Harmony, holism, spirituality

http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/IEC/caleb.html


Don Beck & Chris Cowan’s Eight Levels of Worldviews

1. Archaic-Instinctual

2. Animistic/tribalistic

3. Egocentric

4. Absolutist-religious

5. Individualistic-achiever

6. Relativistic

7. Systematic-integrative

8. Global-holistic


Clare Graves’ Eight Levels of Existence: What each level seeks

1. physiological satisfaction

2. a safe mode of living

3. heroic status, for power and glory

4. ultimate peace

5. material pleasure

6. affectionate relations

7. respect of self

8. peace in an incomprehensible world


Clarken’s Eight Worldviews in “M”nemonics

1. Mammalian

2. Magic

3. Might

4. Myth

5. Mental/Models

6. Multicultural

7. Melded

8. Mystic


As you move up

• You transcend and include the lower levels

• The lower levels are always part of you, but your center of identity shifts as you develop

• More complex levels tend to look down on lower levels, not recognizing their value and necessity, yet do not understand or appreciate higher levels than themselves



BEIGE - Instinctive/Survivalistic

Basic theme: Do what you must just to stay alive (starting 100,000 years ago)

• Uses instincts and habits just to survive

• Distinct self is barely awakened or sustained

• Food, water, warmth, sex, and safety have priority

• Forms into survival bands to perpetuate life

• Lives "off the land" much as other animals

• This and following first slides for each color level from: http://www.wie.org/j22/beck.asp?page=1


Archaic-Instinctual, Physiological Satisfaction, Mammalian, Survival Sense, “me”

• Material and physical self identity; pre-social, -mental, -moral, -logical and –verbal

• First human societies, seeking power over nature, simple hunting and gathering

• Seen in infants, senility, survival situations, some primitive hunter-gatherer societies, high conflict and disaster areas


PURPLE - Magical/Animistic

Basic theme: Keep the spirits happy and the tribe's nest warm and safe (starting 50,000 years ago)

• Obeys the desires of the spirit being and mystical signs

• Shows allegiance to chief, elders, ancestors, and the clan

• Individual subsumed in group

• Preserves sacred objects, places, events, and memories

• Observes rites of passage, seasonal cycles, and tribal customs


Animistic-Tribalistic, Safe Mode of Living, Magical, Kin Spirits, “we”

• Strong kinship/tribal bonds, symbiotic, trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and doubt

• Preoperational, magical and animistic thinking

• Emotional self and punishment/obedience morality emerging

• Seen in superstitions, rituals, athletic teams, gangs and some tribal societies


RED - Impulsive/Egocentric

Basic theme: Be what you are and do what you want, regardless (starting 10,000 years ago)

• The world is a jungle full of threats and predators

• Breaks free from any domination or constraint to please self as self desires

• Stands tall, expects attention, demands respect, and calls the shots

• Enjoys self to the fullest right now without guilt or remorse

• Conquers, out-foxes, and dominates other aggressive characters


Egocentric, Heroic Status, Might, Power Gods, “me”

• Powerful, impulsive, egocentric, heroic; 1st person perspective, initiative vs. guilt and anxiety, naïve hedonism morality

• Might makes right, underlings obey for protection

• Seen in terrible twos, rebellious youth, frontier mentality, John Wayne, rugged individual types, heroes, feudal kingdoms and empires


BLUE -Purposeful/Authoritarian

Basic theme: Life has meaning, direction, and purpose with predetermined outcomes (starting 5,000 years ago)

• One sacrifices self to the transcendent Cause, Truth, or righteous Pathway

• The Order enforces a code of conduct based on eternal, absolute principles

• Righteous living produces stability now and guarantees future reward

• Impulsivity is controlled through guilt; everybody has their proper place

• Laws, regulations, and discipline build character and moral fiber


Absolutist-Religious, Ultimate Peace, Myth, Truth Force, “we”

• Mythological and concrete operational thinking, industry vs. inferiority, conventional approval of others and law and order morality, ethnocentric

• “one right way”

• Seen in fundamentalism, patriotism, Boy/Girl Scouts, moral majority, codes of chivalry and honor, ancient nations, Puritan America, Confucian China, horticultural and agrarian societies, rigid social hierarchies, paternalism


ORANGE - Achievist/Strategic

Basic theme: Act in your own self-interest by playing the game to win (starting 300 years ago)

• Change and advancement are inherent within the scheme of things

• Progresses by learning nature's secrets and seeking out best solutions

• Manipulates Earth's resources to create and spread the abundant good life

• Optimistic, risk-taking, and self-reliant people deserve success

• Societies prosper through strategy, technology, and competitiveness


Individualistic-Achiever, Materialistic Pleasure, Mental/Models, Strive Drive, “me”

• Social contract morality and formal operational thinking, 2nd and 3rd person perspectives

• Rational, achievement-oriented, individualistic, seeks objective scientific truth and meaning

• Science rules, use to advance interests

• Seen in liberal self-interest, materialism, cosmetics & fashion industries, the Enlightenment, the Cold War, Wall Street, colonialism, corporate states, Industrial Revolution, capitalism


GREEN - Communitarian/Egalitarian

Basic theme: Seek peace within the inner self and explore, with others, the caring dimensions of community (starting 150 years ago)

• The human spirit must be freed from greed, dogma, and divisiveness

• Feelings, sensitivity, and caring supersede cold rationality

• Spreads the Earth's resources and opportunities equally among all

• Reaches decisions through reconciliation and consensus processes

• Refreshes spirituality, brings harmony, and enriches human development


Relativistic, Affectionate Relations, Multicultural, Human Bond, “we”

• Formal operational thinking; Pluralistic, relativistic, communitarian, networking, ecological, bonding, subjective; 4th person perspective, universal ethical morality emerging

• Emphasis on dialogue and relationships: Community, harmony, equality and relativity

• Seen in diversity, politically correct and human rights movements; collective communities; post modernism; humanistic psychology; World Council of Churches; socialized health care; Greenpeace; post colonialism


YELLOW - Integrative

Basic theme: Live fully and responsibly as what you are and learn to become (starting 50 years ago)

• Life is a kaleidoscope of natural hierarchies, systems, and forms

• The magnificence of existence is valued over material possessions

• Flexibility, spontaneity, and functionality have the highest priority

• Differences can be integrated into interdependent, natural flows

• Understands that chaos and change are natural


Systemic-Integrative, Respect Self, Meld, Flex Flow, “me”

• Post formal operational thinking, universal ethical morality, autonomous integrated self, world centric

• Differences integrated into one interdependent order, natural processes, mutual realities; live for mutuality, flexible, unity in diversity

• Seen in cutting edge thinkers, visionaries, leaders of thought


TURQUOISE - Holistic

Basic theme: Experience the wholeness of existence through mind and spirit (starting 30 years ago)

• The world is a single, dynamic organism with its own collective mind

• Self is both distinct and a blended part of a larger, compassionate whole

• Everything connects to everything else in ecological alignments

• Energy and information permeate the Earth's total environment

• Holistic, intuitive thinking and cooperative actions are to be expected


Global-Holistic, Peace Within, Mystical, Global View, “we”

• Beyond most models of psychological development as few examples exist for study, self-actualization, universal holistic system thinking, multiple levels interwoven and interacting together

• Unites feelings with knowledge, harmony, holism, spirituality

• Seen in Gandhi, Dalai Lama, Universal House of Justice



Eight Value Systems Compared1 based on biological urges/drives; physical senses dictate the state of

being

2 threatening and full of mysterious powers, spirit beings which must be placated and appeased

3 like a jungle where the tough and strong prevail while the weak serve; nature is an adversary

4 controlled by a Higher Power that punishes evil and eventually rewards good works and Right living

5 full of resources to develop and opportunities to make things better and bring prosperity

6 the habitat wherein humanity can find love and purposes through affiliation and sharing

7 a chaotic organism where change is the norm and uncertainty a usual state of being

8 a delicately balanced system of interlocking forces in jeopardy in human hands (adapted from http://www.spiraldynamics.org/Graves/colors.htm)


What individuals & groups in each level seek out in life

1 survival; biogenic needs satisfaction; reproduction

2 safety/security; protection from harm; family bonds

3 power/action; asserting self to dominate others; control

4 stability/order; obedience to earn later reward; meaning

5 opportunity/success; competing to achieve results; influence

6 harmony/love; joining together for mutual growth; awareness

7 independence/self-worth; fitting a living system; knowing8 global community/life force; survival of Earth;

consciousness (adapted from http://www.spiraldynamics.org/Graves/colors.htm)


How "rational" people might deal with such a world

1 as natural instincts and reflexes direct; automatic existence

2 according to tradition and ritual ways of group; tribal; animistic

3 asserting self for dominance, conquest, and power; exploitive; egocentric

4 obediently as higher authority and rules direct; absolutist; conforming

5 pragmatically to achieve results and get ahead; multiplistic; achievist

6 responds to human needs; affiliative; relativistic; situational

7 build functional niche to do what one chooses; existential; systemic

8 experiential to join with other like thinkers; holistic; transpersonal (adapted from http://www.spiraldynamics.org/Graves/colors.htm)


Transitions between levels

1. Survival/meeting biological needs/instinctive drives & urges Awakening of a sense of dependent self in a mysterious and frightening world where being with others means safety

2. Safety/tribal needs/adherence to ritual/obeying chief(s)/harmony/reciprocityAwakening of an egocentric self determined to break the shackles of the family or tribe and become a powerful individual

3. Power/action/excitement/proving individual prowess/shame/cunning dominanceAwakening of a purposeful self with guilt in search of meaning in a purposeful existence and reasons why we live and die

4. Purpose/obedience to authority/stability/rules/meaning/guilt/dutyAwakening of a pragmatic, independence-seeking self who challenges higher authority and scientifically tests possibilities


5. Competition/success/making things better/autonomy/adroit

control/growthAwakening of a sociocentric self who strives for belonging and acceptance and needs to discover spirit, inner harmony, peace

6. Affiliation/sustainability/collaboration/consciousness/ fulfillment/sharing/connectionsAwakening of an inquiring, interdependent self who no longer needs approval yet can collaborate when appropriate with diminishing compulsions or fears

7. Being/functionality/discovery/integralism/responsibilities of living/connectionsAwakening of experiential self who seeks ways of being that use knowledge to restore natural harmony and balance

8. Experience of holism/accept existential realities/integration of life energies--the open-ended Graves theory continues as new thinking systems awaken and coping with life's existential dichotomies activates new neuronal systems http://www.spiraldynamics.org/Graves/colors.htm


How do racism, sexism, classism, etc. look from these worldviews?

• How would you address discrimination from each worldview?

• How do we move from superficial differences to deep differences?

• How do we reconcile differences in worldviews?

• How do we help people develop more inclusive worldviews?

© Rodney H. Clarken 2005 41•http://www.inspiralworld.net/


Some material taken from the following web sites:

• http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/IEC/caleb.html

• http://www.spiraldynamics.org/Graves/colors.htm

• http://www.spiraldynamics.org/learning/faq.htm

• http://www.wie.org/j22/beck.asp?page=1

• Others sited in the presentation.


Contact information

Dr. Rodney H. Clarken

Director of Field Experiences and Professor, School of Education, Northern Michigan University, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855-5348

Tel: 906-227-1881 (o), 226-2079 (h), Fax: 227-2764 Email: [email protected]

Website with info on courses, papers, Bahá'í, China, this and other presentations:

http://www-instruct.nmu.edu/education/rclarken


Extra Slides for Reference


“The only real difference that exists

between people is that they are at various stages of development.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 170-171)


“For growth and development

• depend on one's powers of intellect and reason, not on one's age or length of days.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 141)


“For all beings are connected together like a chain;

• and reciprocal help, assistance and interaction belonging to the properties of things are the causes of the existence, development and growth of created beings. It is confirmed through evidences and proofs that every being universally acts upon other beings, either absolutely or through association.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 178-179 )


“It is clear that the reality of mankind is diverse,

• that opinions are various and sentiments different; and this difference of opinions, of thoughts, of intelligence, of sentiments among the human species arises from essential necessity; for the differences in the degrees of existence of creatures is one of the necessities of existence, which unfolds itself in infinite forms.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 301)


Graves’ Theory: A Summary

• “…the psychology of the mature human being is an unfolding, emergent, oscillating spiraling process marked by progressive subordination of older, lower-order behavior systems to newer, higher-order systems as man's existential problems change.”

• This and key points from http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/IEC/caleb.html


Key Points, 1-2

1. Human nature is not static, nor is it finite. Human nature changes as the conditions of existence change, thus forging new systems, yet the older systems stay with us.

2. When a new system or level is activated, we change our psychology and rules for living to adapt to those new conditions.


Key Points, 3-4

3. We live in a potentially open system of values with an infinite number of modes of living available to us. There is no final state to which we must all aspire.

4. An individual, a company, or an entire society can respond positively only to those managerial principles, motivational appeals, educational formulas, and legal or ethical codes that are appropriate to their current level of human existence.


Key Points, 5

5. A spiral vortex best depicts this emergence of human systems as they evolve through levels of increasing complexity. Each upward turn of the spiral marks the awakening of a more elaborated version on top of what already exists. The human spiral, then, consists of a coiled string of value systems, worldviews, and mindsets, each the product of its times and conditions. In other words, new times produce new minds.

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Toward a Unifying Worldview: Reconciling Differences Dr. Rodney H. Clarken Northern Michigan University Presented at the Domestic Diversity Institute,