From: f.visser3@chello.nl Sent: dinsdag 25 mei 2004 0:34 To: f.visser3@chello.nl Subject: On Integral Debate WILBER FRIENDS MAILING LIST =========================== http://www.worldofkenwilber.com Newsletter Nr. 120 Amsterdam, May 24, 2004 Hi Wilber Friends, Since Wilber posted his "A Suggestion for Reading the Criticisms of My Work on Frank Visser's "World of Ken Wilber" Site", many have asked me what i thought of it. Allow me to voice some personal comments -- for the first time in 120 Newsletters. Judging from the "dialogue" with a "critic" Wilber presented as exemplary, it appears as if only Wilber represents the True Integral Perspective, and any deviation from this is explained as misrepresentation, or unclarity on the part of the critic. In my view, this would effectively end all critical debate, for the essence of that would be the exchange of different and differing perspectives on the same topic. Misrepresentation is allways possible, but then again, that's how intellectual life is. Did Wilber "dialogue" with the many authors he has criticized, often sharply? Of course not. That's not how science or philosophy proceeds, nor should it. It proceeds by critically examining the views of others, and developing new views in the process. Can different views on integralism be sustained within the Integral Institute? I sincerely hope so. But it also looks like we need something like a Journal of Integral Theory, where integral concepts are discussed from different angles, topics suggested by Wilber (on anthropology, development, psychology of mysticism, philosophy of science, postmodernism) are fleshed out by specialists within these fields -- both pro and contra Wilber --, and "oppositional" views are especially welcomed. We need Integral Conferences, where we can meet and talk freely about how Integralism is to be (or can be!) understood and how it relates (or could relate!) to present world issues. We do not need an Integral Catechism ("How may quadrants are there?", "Four", "Well said"). To me, Wilber's dialogue example had a disturbing similarity to exactly that. I can only quote Wilber from his 1986 book "Spiritual Choices", chosen as motto for the Reading Room: "Does the group allow free and rational inquiry into its teachings? Or does it discourage or even prevent critical analysis of its own tenets? Does it allow or encourage comparison and assessment of its methods and teachings with those of other paths, not as propaganda but as free inquiry? A transrational group will usually insist on this; a pre-rational group will avoid it." (p. 248) The Integral Institute is strong on propaganda and entertainment, it takes care of its own marketing very well, but where does it invite critics to voice their concerns and alternative perspectives? For this reason, I ended my book on "Ken Wilber: Thought as Passion" on this note: "If the Wilber debate were to become simply 'the world according to Ken Wilber', however fascinating and edifying that might be, it might well be that Wilber would ultimately be interred in the gallery of the great, undoubtebly surrounded by a multitude of followers. Yet, someone of Wilber's stature deserves more than that. The ideas that he has presented deserve to be examined in any academic and social discussion of culture, politics, religion and mental health." (p. 341) And I did not mean, to be examined in an Integral University only, but in the public word of academia, newspapers and magazines. As one of the critics remarked : "But that is the problem when we have closed ourselves up within a supposedly closed hermeneutic loop: no further interpretation is warranted. None is needed! Interpretation has been closed. Here a certain fundamentalism starts to reign, and what difference if this fundamentalism is integral or conservative?" Several other concerned responses have been sent in, which can be read below. Their common theme is that it is hoped the Integral University will promote public debate, critical thinking, and an openness to other perspectives on integralism than Wilber's. Their fear is that IU will be used to teach Wilber's perspective on integralism to its students, instead of learning them how to question it... Will it just teach Wilber's view on Perennialism or Postmodernism, or do Perennialists or Postmodernists get a hearing? The matter of integral dissent has definitely been put on the agenda. But if you ask me, it is hard to argue with visionaries... ========================= Ray Harris continues his series of informative and stimulating essays with an analysis of the rising pre-rational forces in the United States. "It's about time we realized that large sections of the American population are yet to undertake the Enlightenment. This is the major project in the decades ahead." Recent additions to the World of Ken Wilber website: 05/24/04: A German translation by HaPe Lin of Harris' response to Wilber -- "What I Really wanted to Say" -- has been added to the Reading Room. 05/16/04: The essay "A Letter On Mythical Thinking: America and Iraq" by Ray Harris has been added to the Reading Room. 05/15/04: The essay "Integral Transformative Practice: A Participatory Perspecive" by Jorge Ferrer has been added to the Reading Room. 05/15/04: The essay "Good For Business: An Integral Theory Perspective Of Spirituality In Organisations" by Mark Edwards has been added to the Reading Room. 05/15/04: "A Story On Hermeneutics & The Wilber Inner Circle", by David Jon Peckinpaugh has been added to the Reading Room. 05/14/04: "A New Perspective on Integral Perspectives" by Peter Collins has been added to Reading Room. 05/02/04: "On Criticism, Integral Theory, and the Nature and Utility of Scholarly Discourse", by Sara Ross, has been added to the Reading Room. 05/02/04: "The Juggling Act of Life", conference/ performance for schools (students and/or teachers) by Dutch-Canadian Hans Bongers, has been added to the Reading Room. Frank -- xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Frank Visser, Waterpoortweg 279, 1051 PV A'dam, Netherlands Read all about Ken Wilber : http://www.worldofkenwilber.com xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx