IDM : Sources of Meaning

This site presents a model (Introduction to IDM -Integration, Differentiation, & Meaning) of the creation, maintenance, and distribution of meaning from the perspective of the species. The model proposes that since all meaning is determined by the method of derivation, where the method sets the context and so the rules that are used to determine the 'meaningful' from the 'meaningless', given recent work in the neurosciences and cognitive sciences we can identify generic patterns of that meaning. Those patterns are applicable to all specialisations and so aid in quickly understanding the core elements of any specialisation and even allows for one specialisation to be used as a source of analogy, or even a metaphor, for another specialisation.

The model emphasises that the development of consciousness has allowed us to take generic, neurologically-defined, qualities rooted in our primate nature and re-label those qualities to apply to a unique context and as such create a multitude of specialisations from the one generalisation. One property of this process is in the creation of qualities associated with the concept of 'Small World Networks' - we see them 'everywhere' since our brain reflects the core structure of such networks - all apparently derived from the use of the dichotomy of differentiate/integrate to derive basic meaning.

What is implied from this IDM analysis is that, for example in Mathematics, there is no need for the Universe to be originatingly 'mathematical', and so reflecting Plato's "ideal forms", more so there is the indication of Universe BECOMING mathematical. By the time our consciousness turns up so the mathematisation of the Universe is more or less complete due to the patterns that have developed from mindless differentiating/integrating. Our consciousness will then create 'triadic' models but these are not of concern here, we deal with the roots of meaning in our species-nature.

On this site we present four specialisations to demonstrate these general patterns shining through - these specialisations are: (a) Persona Typologies, a typology system mapping personalities, (b) the types of numbers and general perspectives used in Mathematics (and so by association all specialisations that use Mathematics), and (c) the I Ching, the Book of Changes, an ancient Chinese system of divination that has been extended into areas of Philosophy etc. In addition there is a mapping of basic human emotions to IDM, as well as a number of particular essays (some listed below), covering the work. There are also four discussion groups available to take things further.

Categories of Mediation - The Theory (pdf)

Categories of Mediation - The Practice(pdf)

IDM : The Properties & Methods of Personal and Social Identification , Transforming & Transcending : The Dance of the Neuron , The Language of the Vague (PDF summary of IDM concepts - DRAFT) and the earlier A General Outline of the Model The concepts are further refined and extended in these recent articles of

Full Spectrum Science and

Properties of the Recursion, and so self-referencing, of a Dichotomy and

XOR, the I Ching, and Recursion and

Wave Dichotomies : Meaning from Frequencies, Wavelengths, and Amplitudes and

Power Laws and the Qualitative and

Socio-economic Formations (PDF draft)

The following links are to a number of pages focused upon fleshing-out the above outline. In particular are the links of:

The Price of 'dot' Precision : Distortions in Typology Categorisations and

Mind from Brain - a Consequence of Adaptation to Paradox Processing? (aslo linked in Plus list and page) and

Neurocognitive Roots of Formal and Dialectical Logics and

EMF as the Core Source of Abstract Interpretations and

The 'Failure' of Socialism : Social Expression of Neurocognitive Processes and

Historical Materialism : A Fact? (Small World Networks and Power Laws) and

Transcending, Transforming : Exploitation and Protection and

On Qualitative Measurements : Properties of Interest and

Brain Oscillations and the State Vector Concept in QM and

Wave/Particle Duality as a Reflection of Dynamic between Consciousness and Speciesness and

Vision, Audition, and Quantum Reality and

A and NOT A : Logic from the Senses and the Source of Semiotics and

Charles Peirce's Categories, Self-Reference, and the Structure of the Analytic Mind and

Communications is reflected in Neural Prisms and the Emergence of Distinctions of Ordinality and Cardinality as well as discussion in

Neuro-Cognitive/Affective Roots of Mathematics Also included is an example of the sharing of the IDM template by specialist, dichotomy-driven systems -

The Five-Phase I Ching and

Charles Peirce's Categories and the I Ching

Issues of the continued use in our cultures of esoteric disciplines is covered in The Logic of the Esoteric.

The above mentioned IDM 'template' layers dichotomies to develop a sense of meaning that we can share with other members of our species. (An Example of Recursive Dichotomisation Using the Gene/Meme Dichotomy)

The above table contains links to various essays on this site and its sister site. These essays are aimed at showing the structure of the template humans use to create metaphors as well as how easy it is to find meaning in ANYTHING founded on the proposed template. These essays also highlight the expression of the template in the form of the methodologies of particular influencial thinkers.

(copyright © 2000-2006 C.J. Lofting)

[last update 14th May 2006]

IDM

Categories of Mediation - The Theory (pdf)

Categories of Mediation - The Practice(pdf)

Full Spectrum Science and

Properties of the Recursion, and so self-referencing, of a Dichotomy and

XOR, the I Ching, and Recursion and

Wave Dichotomies : Meaning from Frequencies, Wavelengths, and Amplitudes and

Power Laws and the Qualitative and

Socio-economic Formations (PDF draft)

The following links are to a number of pages focused upon fleshing-out the above outline. In particular are the links of:

The Price of 'dot' Precision : Distortions in Typology Categorisations and

Mind from Brain - a Consequence of Adaptation to Paradox Processing? (aslo linked in Plus list and page) and

Neurocognitive Roots of Formal and Dialectical Logics and

EMF as the Core Source of Abstract Interpretations and

The 'Failure' of Socialism : Social Expression of Neurocognitive Processes and

Historical Materialism : A Fact? (Small World Networks and Power Laws) and

Transcending, Transforming : Exploitation and Protection and

On Qualitative Measurements : Properties of Interest and

Brain Oscillations and the State Vector Concept in QM and

Wave/Particle Duality as a Reflection of Dynamic between Consciousness and Speciesness and

Vision, Audition, and Quantum Reality and

A and NOT A : Logic from the Senses and the Source of Semiotics and

Charles Peirce's Categories, Self-Reference, and the Structure of the Analytic Mind and

Communications is reflected in Neural Prisms and the Emergence of Distinctions of Ordinality and Cardinality as well as discussion in

Neuro-Cognitive/Affective Roots of Mathematics Also included is an example of the sharing of the IDM template by specialist, dichotomy-driven systems -

The Five-Phase I Ching and

Charles Peirce's Categories and the I Ching

Issues of the continued use in our cultures of esoteric disciplines is covered in The Logic of the Esoteric.

The above mentioned IDM 'template' layers dichotomies to develop a sense of meaning that we can share with other members of our species. (An Example of Recursive Dichotomisation Using the Gene/Meme Dichotomy)