Richard Slaughter interviews Ken Wilber, Denver, 2003
Denver, July 2003
Having sought to apply Integral concepts and thinking to Futures Studies / applied foresight over several years, this meeting with Ken Wilber provided a rare opportunity to explore implications with the person from whose work these developments had emerged. The interview, kindly recorded by Jay Gary, was held in Wilber’s Denver loft apartment.
The discussion begins by considering key characteristics of what has been called the dominant ‘empirical’ tradition of futures work. It then explores some of the ways in which the Integral four-quadrant model provides a more systematic basis for such work. Another key topic is how ‘depth’ within the practitioner support shifts away from conventional to post-conventional approaches.
The interview provides numerous insights into many related topics. As such, it is essential listening for anyone interested in utility of Integral perspectives in this context. What also makes it more enjoyable and accessible is Wilber’s underlying modesty and keen sense of humour. It is highly recommended not only as an introduction but as a rare and inspiring source that yields new insights with each listening.
Surfacing the intangible: Using integral futures in strategy by Maree Conway (2017)
The Association of Professional Futurists (APF) has emerged as one of the most progressive futures organisations anywhere. Its quarterly on-line journal Compass provides a wealth of insight into new ideas, new work, publications and other activities undertaken by its growing international membership. Maree Conway’s article is only 3 pages long and yet it manages to shed light on how integral futures can be made practical and useful in the nitty-gritty world of applied foresight. The article is from the April 2017 issue of Compass and is reproduced here with the author’s permission. (Read more…)
Integrating the future by Ken Wilber (2012)
The way you approach the present isn’t just determined by the way you approach the past, but by the way you approach the future. The richer conception of the future you have, the richer your life in the present becomes. Read more.. Note: you can also find a 22 minute video introduction to Integral by Wilber on the Videos section of this site.
Integration: the new wave for futures by Jan Lee Martin (2009)
Practical futuring work around the world is at risk from superficial thinking, dated methods and redundant paradigms …The good news is that new approaches now offer the opportunity to lift standards and improve results. Read more…
A one-page graphic summary of spiral dynamics by Jan Lee Martin (2004) Open here
Excellent summary of a case study on Using Climate Change Literature to Support Climate Change Response
The original paper was published in the Journal of Integral Theory and Practice (2009). Yvonne Curtis wrote and published this piece in Future Times, 4, 2010. It provides an accessible introduction to how Integral Theory can be readily applied to real-world issues. Read more…,
The evolution of integral futures by Terry Collins and Andy Hines (2011)
The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the evolution of Integral Futures, a new perspective and methodology in futures studies. Our approach relied primarily on a literature review, supplemented by one-on-one phone interviews and a survey of futurist practitioners … Integral Futures is an approach to futures studies that adapted Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory to futures practice. Integral Theory is not exclusively the domain of Wilber, but he is its leading exponent and was central in popularising the idea. Read more…
Transcending flatland by Richard Slaughter (1998)
The Western futures project was originally founded on empiricist notions of prediction, forecasting and control. While other approaches to futures work, other traditions and ways of knowing, have certainly become established, the early framing of Futures Studies arguably occurred out of this broadly reductionist framework – what Wilber has since termed ‘flatland’. As a result, current ideologies such as: economic growth, globalisation, the pre-eminence accorded to science and technology, and ‘man’s conquest of nature’ – were insufficiently problematised. Read more..
An overview of integral theory by Sean Hargens (2009)
The world has never been so complex as it is right now—it is mind boggling and at times emotionally overwhelming. Not to mention, the world only seems to get more complex and cacophonous as we confront the major problems of our day: extreme religious fundamentalism, environmental degradation, failing education systems, existential alienation, and volatile financial markets. Never have there been so many disciplines and worldviews to consider and consult in addressing these issues: a cornucopia of perspectives. But without a way of linking, leveraging, correlating, and aligning these perspectives, their contribution to the problems we face are largely lost or compromised. Read more…
Creating wisdom cultures: Integral Coaching as applied foresight in leadership development (2015)
This paper is from the Finnish journal Approaching Religion, Vol 5 No 2, November 2015. It was written by JP Jakonen and Matti Kamppinen. I’m grateful to the authors and publisher for permission to reproduce it here. The paper picks up a number of core concepts from To See With Fresh Eyes. Part of the introduction follows:
Systemic or integral frameworks are needed not only in our projects of creating knowledge and understanding, but also in our attempts to change the world, to make better futures. Transcending the flatland of one-dimensional materiality is pivotal in business, politics and everyday life. Therefore it is understandable that Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory has inspired not only those who wish to cultivate understanding, but also those who have the agenda of creating better futures for human organizations, societies or workplaces. In this article we will first look at the contribution of the futurist Richard Slaughter, who has utilized Wilber’s insights on spirituality in his foresight concepts and practice. Read more…