Integral Theory in Action: Applied, Theoretical, and Constructive Perspectives on the AQAL Model

by Sean Esbjörn-Hargens (Editor), Roger Walsh (Foreword by), Ken Wilber (Afterword)

Overview

In a world as complex as ours, an integral approach is needed to help sort through a dynamic landscape and respond effectively to individual and collective challenges. Integral Theory in Action provides the first multi-authored overview of such an approach. Integral Theory is the result of 30 years of research and is being applied in over 35 distinct disciplines. This volume brings together two dozen leading scholar-practitioners who are actively applying integral principles and who address a range of issues from an integral perspective including: climate change, embodiment, feminist aesthetics, community discourse, treatment of depression, developmental theory, and global ethics. The strengths, limitations, and potential of Integral Theory and Ken Wilber's AQAL model are weighed by each contributor. This collection pushes the field of Integral Theory in new ways and new directions, and provides a comprehensive overview that makes it an invaluable resource for any integral effort.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781438433844
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	08/01/2010
Series:	SUNY series in Integral Theory
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	475
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Matthew Solomon is Associate Professor of Cinema Studies at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York. He is the author of Disappearing Tricks: Silent Films, Houdini, and the New Magic of the Twentieth Century.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations xi

Acknowledgments xiii

Foreword: The integral Enterprise: Current Frontiers and Possible Futures Roger Walsh xv

Introduction Sean Esbjörn-Hargens 1

Prologue: The Academic Emergence of Integral Theory: Reflections on and Clarifications of the 1st Biennial Integral Theory Conference Mark D. Forman Sean Esbjörn-Hargens 23

Chapter 1 An Overview of Integral Theory: An All-Inclusive Framework for the Twenty-First Century Sean Esbjörn-Hargens 33

Part 1 Applied Perspectives

Chapter 2 Responding to Climate Change: The Need for an Integral Approach Karen O'Brien 65

Chapter 3 Embodiment, an Ascending and Descending Development Theresa Silow 79

Chapter 4 Beauty and the Expansion of Women's Identity Vanessa D. Fisher 99

Chapter 5 Writing to Effect: Textual Form as Realization in an Integral Community Michele Chase 123

Chapter 6 An Integral Understanding of the Etiology of Depression Elliott Ingersoll 149

Part 2 Theoretical Perspectives

Chapter 7 Now You Get It, Now You Don't: Developmental Differences in the Understanding of Integral Theory and Practice Zachary Stein 175

Chapter 8 The Final Cause of Cosmic Development: Nondual Spirit or the Second Law of Thermodynamics? Michael E. Zimmerman 203

Chapter 9 Frames of AQAL, Integral Critical Theory, and the Emerging Integral Arts Michael Schwartz 229

Chapter 10 Integral Situational Ethical Pluralism: An Overview of a Second-Tier Ethic for the Twenty-First Century Randy Martin 253

Chapter 11 An Integral Map of Perspective-Taking Clint Fuhs 273

Chapter 12 Second-Tier Gains and Challenges in Ego Development Susanne Cook-Greuter 303

Part 3 Constructive Perspectives

Chapter 13 Rhizomatic Contributions to Integral Ecology in Deleuze and Guattari Sam Mickey 325

Chapter 14 Exploring Epistemic Wisdom: Ethical and Practical Implications of Integral Studies and Methodological Pluralism for Collaboration and Knowledge-Building Tom Murray 345

Chapter 15 Appropriation in Integral Theory: The Case of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother's "Untold" Integral View Charles I. Flores 369

Chapter 16 Of Elephants and Butterflies: An Integral Metatheory for Organizational Transformation Mark Edwards 385

Chapter 17 Developmental Action Inquiry: A Distinct Integral Theory That Actually Integrates Developmental Theory, Practice, and Research William R. Torbert Reut Livne-Tarandach David McCallum Aliki Nicolaides Elaine Herdman-Barker 413

Afterword: The Dawn of an Integral Age Ken Wilber 431

Contributors 435

Index 441

What People are Saying About This

Sean M. Kelly

This represents the first flowering of a new theoretical movement that has potential implications for the full spectrum of disciplinary inquiry as well as for significant areas of practical application, from ethics and development assessment to climate change. (Sean M. Kelly, author of Coming Home: The Birth and Transformation of the Planetary Era)