Pantheons as patterns of cognitive N-foldness

Meta-pattern via Engendering and Navigating Pantheons of Belief? (Part #3)

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The pantheons of tradition tend to be of a particular size. It is therefore curious to note that other "memes" tend to be arrayed in clusters of a specific size, with little understanding of why this is the case. As one example, humans have an unexplored enthusiasm for 12-fold arrays -- whether or not they are to be recognized as memeplexes (Checklist of 12-fold Principles, Plans, Symbols and Concepts: web resources, 2011).

That checklist necessarily includes a number of traditional pantheons. The question that then merits exploration is whether other 12-fold sets of principles, concepts, etc are to be recognized as constituting pantheons in some experiential sense. The checklist is in fact the annex to an exploration of how such a 12-fold pattern might be indicative of an array of systemic functions (Eliciting a 12-fold Pattern of Generic Operational Insights: recognition of memory constraints on collective strategic comprehension, (2011). Why is it considered appropriate to distinguish 12 memes in any such set -- in preference to some other number? Are such distinctions indicative of requisite variety, as might be understood in some cybernetic or systemic sense?

A similar exercise can be undertaken with respect to the unexplored enthusiasm for more complex 20-fold patterns (Requisite 20-fold Articulation of Operative Insights? Checklist of web resources on 20 strategies, rules, methods and insights, 2018). For whom do such patterns function as experiential pantheons and why? That exercise was provoked by the possibility that in general systems terms some justification for such a pattern was to be found at a fundamental biological level (Memetic Analogue to the 20 Amino Acids as vital to Psychosocial Life? 2015).

Just as with the 12-fold and 20-fold arrays, the 8-fold pattern is variously considered of fundamental significance whether or not it is explicitly embodied in a traditional pantheon. There is no lack of reference to some form of 8-fold array, whether by quite distinct religions, as a feature of policy analysis, or as an organizational scheme for a class of subatomic particles. Clearly, given the determining role of the 10 Commandments for the Abrahamic religions, this could also be recognized as the expression of a form of pantheon.

Yet to be determined: is the the size of such arrays of memes to be considered arbitrary and coincidental, or is it of particular significance to the organization of meaning -- under some circumstances, and perhaps only credible to some? Why does any such array "work" to the point of being a deeply valued organization of experience -- again, typically only for some?

The argument can be taken further, and more generally, through considering the arrays of concepts, methods and insights variously proposed in academic treatises, strategic documents, and in a variety of domains, as explored separately (Patterns of N-foldness: comparison of integrated multi-set concept schemes as forms of presentation, 1980). A wide range of examples was presented in annexes to that exercise (Examples of Integrated, Multi-set Concept Schemes, 1980).Â

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