Interrelationship and potential significance of four polyhedral models

Weather Metaphors as Whether Metaphors (Part #3)

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Carriers of integrative understanding: In the consideration here on spherically symmetrical forms, the argument is that these may serve to a higher degree as carriers of understanding -- otherwise held to be fragmented and disorganized, as previously discussed (Spherical Configuration of Categories -- to reflect systemic patterns of environmental checks and balances, 1994). This is consistent with the remarkable philosophical review of orbs, globes and spheres by Peter Sloterdijk (Globes, 2014), as providing new understanding of the current crisis of globalization. Essentially the original integrative inspiration of the intangible dimensions of orb and sphere -- as implied by the noosphere, and to a degree by dome -- is now essentially obscured by the geopolitical and economic tangibles of the globe, as widely represented and understood.

Spheres, orbs and the process of globalization: A remarkable philosophical framework is offered from a historical perspective by the magnum opus of Peter Sloterdijk (Globes, 2014) -- the second volume of a trilogy on Spheres. This is achieved by highlighting the original integrative inspiration of the intangible dimensions of orb and sphere -- as in noosphere -- now essentially obscured by the geopolitical tangibles of the globe, as these are widely represented and understood. The manner in which this is implied in the experience of domes is of relevance -- especially given their value in religious architecture.

For example, little is otherwise said of the understanding of axiosphere, as variously explored (Leonid Stolovich, On the Concept of 'Axiosphere'; Maria Lebedko, Axiosphere: the linguistic representation of value concepts in American and Russian cultures, American Studies International, 41, 2003, 1/2; Arkadiusz Dudziak, The Role of Created Anthropological Situations in Forming the Axiosphere of Audiovisual Social Advertising). Of relevance is a chapter on The Overman and the Evolutionary Axiosphere in the study by William Plank (The Quantum Nietzsche: the will to power and the nature of dissipative systems, 2001).

As described, Spheres is about "spaces of coexistence", spaces commonly overlooked or taken for granted that conceal information crucial to developing an understanding of the human and hence a deeper understanding of globalization. Sloterdijk analyzes spheres where humans try but fail to dwell and traces a connection between vital crisis (e.g., emptiness and narcissistic detachment) and crises created when a sphere shatters.

Globalization in an historical context: In reviewing the evolution of morphological models of orb and globe, Sloterdijk argues that all previous statements about globalization have suffered from shortsightedness. For him, globalization begins with the ancient Greeks, who represented the whole world through the shape of the orb. With the first circumnavigations of the earth, the orb was replaced by the globe. This second globalization is currently giving way to the third, as the general virtuality of all conditions leads to a growing spatial crisis -- framed by the fuzziest understanding of sphere of interest, sphere of influence, sphere of action or sphere of concern.

It is within this context that there is concern from an environmental perspective with the tangibles of biosphere, hydrophere, geosphere, atmosphere and ionosphere, for example. Whilst great importance is associated politically with intangible spheres of influence, reference to "cultural sphere" is rare. One exception is the focus of the Max Planck Society (Cultural Spheres: formations, transformations and interactions in a historical perspective, 2010). There is widespread reference to cyberspace -- and even to hyperspace, a multidimensional hypersphere or a multiverse as the locus of increasing human interaction (Clifford A. Pickover, Surfing Through Hyperspace: understanding higher universes in six easy lessons, 2001; John D. Barrow, The Book of Universes: exploring the limits of the cosmos, 2012). However the integrative psychosocial nature of that space remains elusive -- in cognitive terms, as can be explored (Hyperspace Clues to the Psychology of the Pattern that Connects, 2003)

Understandings of the integrative "globality" of globalization can be challenged for that omission, despite references to global citizenship (Future Generation through Global Conversation -- in quest of collective well-being through conversation in the present moment, 1997). Hence the interest here in geometry as offering powerful insights into globality of psychosocial significance (Metaphorical Geometry in Quest of Globality -- in response to global governance challenges, 2009).

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