Psycho-social interpretation

Liberation of Integration, Universality and Concord (Part #14)

A useful way of describing the periodic behaviour of simple harmonic oscillation is to employ the sine curve whose complete cycle thus represents the complete oscillatory cycle. This may also be viewed as a projection of motion in a circle.

(Diagram)

a, c, and e = points of maximum kinetic energy

b and d = points of maximum potential enrgy (max. displacement)

In the psycho-social case, it is at point (a) that maximum momentum has been acquired towards the realization of Model A. At point (b) the 'maximum distortion' of the system in this direction has been achieved and a restoring force enters into play which progressively phases out Model A, such that at point (c) the maximum momentum towards the realization of Model B has been acquired. This in turn achieves maximum 'distortion' at point (d) when a reverse restoring force enters into play.

It is most important to note that within the Model A perspective, for example, there is no way in which the reversal at point (b) can be logically acknowledged or accepted (except possibly as a temporary set back). Model A necessarily strives to extrapolate along the curve (a) - (b), presumably to some static 'plateau' curve of 'A-perfection'. The increasing momentum from points (b) through (c) must necessarily be viewed by the proponents of Model A as the proliferation of unresolved problems and 'irrational' tendencies, which are seen to achieve their maximum deployment at point (d).

Obviously the proponents of Model B see this sequence in exactly the opposite light and would strive to extrapolate along the curve (c) - (d), presumably to some static 'plateau' of 'B-perfection'.

The cycle therefore involves two 'inversions' of logic (comprehension discontinuities) between the two models which are incompatible and as such mutually incomprehensible (except that what is partially 'comprehended' is used to fuel the antagonism between them). This 'irrationality', as related to the circular projection above, recalls the manner in which mathematicians have succeeded in interrelating positive and negative 'irrational' quantities by use of the Argand circular diagram.

It is this inability to handle curvature which traps the proponents of each model in the linearity of whatever portion of the curve they are associated with. It appears linear, just as the earth appears flat to a rational observer insensitive to longer range phenomena.

Nevertheless, despite the mutual incompatibility, of the models, in the real-world dynamic situation each is effectively defined in terms of change to or from the other.