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

In the 1977 book, The Spectrum of Consciousness, American philosopher Ken Wilber sought to integrate the major schools of psychology along a continuum of different levels. Over ensuing years he further developed his integral theory approach within such disciplines as cultural anthropology, philosophy, sociology of religion, physics, healthcare, environmental studies, and postmodernism. The theory is based on the AQAL ("all quadrants, all levels") model, in which four quadrants represent the irreducible perspectives or dimensions of reality--subjective, intersubjective, objective, and interobjective--that must be consulted when attempting to understand any subject, along with the different levels of depth and complexity. In this work, Esbjorn-Hargens (John F. Kennedy U.) presents 16 papers from the first biennial Integral Theory Conference, held in 2008 for the purpose of exploring the further application, refinement, development, and critique of Wilber's approach across a range of disciplines. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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.