Methods of Range Thinking
Here are some simple notes on Range thinking -- which is diverse thinking that is oriented toward methods and strategies of solving problems. Anti-diverse thinking opposes variety and difference in its methodology; it sticks to singular concepts and methods.
Below are some ideas on range thinking:
1] if there is a singular cause for a problem, consider a range of alternatives, do not make quick decisions
2] often situations are more complex -- look for multiple causes, multiple effects
3] look for multiple behavior in the world, multiple perception, multiple evolutionary paths
4] look for multiple solutions, multiple strategies
5] build institutions that address diverse themes that are capable of multiple views and methods though working for a unitary, overall goal
The basic thought models for range thinking would include thinking in terms of:
1] dualities and the precise bias in a duality in a given situation, and how it evolves
2] collections of disparate things
3] wholes and complexities, and coordinating a world diverse of elements
4] the new, and how the new and old work together
5] evolution, development, processes
6] generating a diversity of elements from a fused or “subsume” situation, as opposed to coordinating an already existing variety of elements
7] resolving the problem of simultry and other problems of time and evolution such as spatial vs. temporal diversity, momentia
The attitudes of range thinking might include:
1] seeking practical solutions
2] avoiding one-sided extremes, seeking a dynamic balance
3] using contradictory strategies and tactics in a complex problem though having a general unified goal and method
4] being creative
5] using flexibility
6] pushing for change and the new
In Diverse Philosophy these concepts are essential:
1] differentiation
2] undifferentiation
3] forming of coordinated whole, a Diverse Whole
Related to differentiation and undifferentiation is the thesis of the Subsume, methods here include:
1] methods of returning to a Subsume via an Emply
2] identifying negative differentiation vs. positive differentiation in a historical process.
3] when returning to a Subsume keep the historical gains, continue to accumulate them, but at the same time make the circular return to the initial whole so that you can create a new whole with a new organizing principle
About wholes:
1] It should be noted that there are different levels of connection. Some groupings are merely collections or “eclections”. Some groupings are combinations, other groupings are systems. Before the state of collection there is just chaos, atomism or “disparation” -- meaning many disparate things with little relation.
2] Human beings are often concerned with Wholes, with systems that function -- Economies, governments, whole minds, healthy individuals, whole planet etc.
3] The trick is to unite diversity with a whole and yield a Diverse Whole. This kind of whole has difference, chaos, and change within it. And a new type of organizational form is required for this new kind of whole. (Kollects)
4] Wholes breakdown, so we must periodically create new ones by reorganizing the whole, accounting for new elements and conditions, and removing some old obsolete elements.
5] The earlier we catch a problem, the better off we are. When we wait until a crisis and then grasp we have a problem that is not intelligent behavior; wisdom is when we can anticipate a problem and then act upon it in a non-crisis stage. Intelligent people often exhibit this waiting behavior, they live only in the immediate, they are dogmatic, they learn only by great suffering which comes from a catastrophe. Catastrophe thinking is not true thinking; it only reacts.
Duality is a very important range thought method, so here are some themes:
1] Note the bias in a duality and its switching as conditions change. The Ne-bias is the secondary pole of a duality.
2] Learn the types of duality. In some, the bias is always the same, as in Value Dualities such as good/evil, right/wrong, true/false, beautiful/ugly etc. In a Practical Duality, we have a bias that change with conditions. The Value Duality aims us toward an evolutionary goal or principle. The Practical Duality helps us manage the practical issues in our lives.
3] Note that a Practical Duality must be balanced but this balance is a dynamic balance and thus has an imbalance within itself too.
4] And be aware that in some processes you are focusing on the imbalance, even creating it for a special reason, for example, in personality formation you might be seeking the imbalance to bring out unique character traits.
5] Last point is to grasp that a duality is a concept, a pure singular concept and not an actual material thing. Things are composites by definition, ideas can be isolated little “loci” – little ethereal thought things, if you will.
So for example, when we say man and woman are opposites, we are not saying the whole being of a man is opposite to that of a whole woman, only aspects are. Duality refers to aspects not a whole. Errors often get made because people equate a duality with the whole being or thing or system or even a doctrine of ideas. But a duality is just one aspect of something, we abstract it into an abstract loci. So do not use a duality to break up a whole or to pit two wholes against each other.
(Please see articles on this site for further elaboration on the topics of duality, the subsume, differentiation and creativity. also please look at these free ebooks:
The Axxiad, On Diverse Philosophy, Dictionary of Creativity)
Axxiad News