Integral theory

The integral theory, integral worldview or integral philosophy is a philosophy that seeks to develop a comprehensive vision of man and of the world, the pre-modern, combines modern and post-modern, Eastern and Western world views and spiritual insights and scientific thinking. Representatives of the integral theory include Aurobindo Ghose, Jean Gebser and Ken Wilber, on the own controversial view Rudolf Bahro.

Overview

Integral theory is a systematic model for a holistic explanation of the world essentially. It is constructed among other things on the assumption that man has in addition to the personal day-consciousness also more natural states of consciousness. The most important current representatives of integral theory, Ken Wilber believes that mystical and spiritual experiences can provide knowledge about the nature and reason in a comprehensive model of the world as well as scientific knowledge must be considered. By means of suitable exercise methods such as meditation, it is even possible to check these intersubjectively. This is also justified by the uniformity of these spiritual experiences across all cultures and eras, as well as their fundamental accessibility through meditative practice.

According to Ken Wilber, the task of an integral theorist would not be to consider all existing theories and decide which of them "right" is. Rather, he must explain the context in which the totality of these ideas could be "right." For all these theories in science, art and spirituality would indeed actually practiced and you should therefore ask about the structure of the cosmos, a permit advent of so many fundamentally different disciplines. It is therefore to ask the question about the architecture of the universe itself.

Another important aspect of integral theory is to mediate between the different approaches to human subjectivity. So on the one hand assumed that the individual ego or ego is not the highest quality of human capacity, but can be part of a more complex transpersonal self that takes into account the other beings in one's thinking, feeling and acting. On the other hand, however, the importance of the ego is emphasized as a central instance of individual action and thus distinguished from spiritual approaches, which would dissolve the ego in a universal unit.

Reception

Critics point to the integral theory emphasizing non- rational elements and a diction which might suggest greater accuracy than is actually present. Furthermore, the integral approach involving deprivation in parts of a gradual, logical analysis and a lift to comprehensive claim, which are characteristics of esotericism. Esoteric, however, criticize the approach that rationality and empiricism have a too high value. Integral theorists point out that they want to overcome the fragmentation of the various disciplines of knowledge and philosophy in so far operated in a broad sense.

In addition to Ken Wilber, Don Beck, Jean Gebser, Ervin Laszlo and Michael Murphy are seen as representatives of such a worldview. Also the socio-ecological approach by Maik Hosang is called integral. In his science - novel " Eve's world. Love in the Time of Climate Change " Hosang developed the vision of a past split between rationality and emotion that characterizes modern science, business and society, in a world aware of lived love as a complex meaning - fulfillment and happiness.

Comprehensive basis for an integral world and of man were worked out in the first half of the 20th century by Sri Aurobindo in the context of his Integral Yoga. Regardless of Jean Gebser developed almost at the same time his concept of integral consciousness.

Policy

Under the name of Integral Politics Switzerland exists in Switzerland since 2011 a small political party that represents a world and of man according to the integral theory. The guided by Monique Centeno and Gary Zemp party approached at the national and cantonal parliament elections 2011 in the Canton of Fribourg, but scored no mandates.