Phase transitions between cognitive modalities

Paradoxes of Wilber's Appreciation of the Trump Challenge (Part #10)

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The mapping exercises above are also suggestive of ways of understanding possible relationships between distinctive cognitive conditions -- and the transition pathways between them. These may be indicated either by the geometrical outline or the movement of the spheres through the common origin. In phase, as in the above case, this is suggestive of cognitive expansion of awareness (a "Big Bang") or a complementary collapse (a "Big Crunch") -- readily recognized in the rise and fall of civilizations.

Represented out of phase (possibly in rhythm), the movements could be indicative of corrections to systemic imbalance, as argued with respect to the emergence of Trump by Wilber. The primary concern he addresses is of course the necessary "healing" to forestall such imbalance in the future.

Understood as phases, there is a case for exploring the use of phase diagrams to indicate transitions between the states of matter to which the four conditions of the AQAL quadrants can be understood to correspond -- especally in terms of connectivity. The three fundamental states most readily recognized (as in the case of water), are solid, liquid, gas -- interrelated as indicated in the image on the left, and separately discussed (Phase diagram of degrees of argument connectivity, 2014). That pattern of phases can be explored as suggestive of the relation between data, information and knowledge, as separately discussed (Playfully Changing the Prevailing Climate of Opinion: climate change as focal metaphor of effective global governance, 2005).

Phase diagrams (images adapted from Wikipedia)
Phase diagram interrelating 3 states of matter of different degrees of bonding/connectivity suggestive of contrasting connectivity in argumentation	Adaptation of general phase diagram to suggest non-linear relationship between data, information and knowledge

The fourth fundamental state is plasma -- whose relations to the other three through phase transitions is indicated in the following image (on the left) which emphasizes the high-energy condition of that fourth state in terms of enthalpy. Other states have also been recognized or hypothesized (non-classical states, low-temperature states, high-energy states, very high energy states, other proposed states). To what might they correspond in Integral Theory?

Phase transitions between four states of matter, with plasma as a high energy state	Toroidal nuclear fusion reactor design using magnetic fields to prevent plasma contact with its container
Images reproduced from Wikipedia

The images above suggest the use of the peculiar characteristics of plasma as a metaphor with which to reframe the healing challenge Wilber identifies as currently necessary for progressive thinking -- especially in its response to the equally peculiar characteristics of Trump. Of particular interest is that in order to "contain" plasma an unusual design is required in order to achieve its potential in a nuclear fusion reactor -- upheld as the main hope for the sustainable energy requirements of the future.

The paradoxical key to the design is that the plasma should not come in contact with the walls of the container -- thereby losing its energy and destroying the container (disastrously). This "detachment" is achieved by using electromagnetic effects around a torus, notably a Tokamak, through which the plasma circulates, as illustrated in the image on the right.

As a superconductor, plasma may then be fruitfully used as a metaphor for insight or inspiration of a higher order. The "design" challenge is how to ensure that it circulates without being de-energized by the simpler modalities of any cognitive container. Paradoxically however, the design necessarily requires the solidity of the walls of the container, and consideration of the properties of the circulating plasma which combine the characteristics of liquid and gas. Symbolically appropriate, a particular concern is to control the instabilities in the plasma, notably named as "snake-like".

Expressed otherwise, how are the systemically valuable insights, variously represented by Trump and Wilber, to be contained? The metaphor is explored separately in terms of the cognitive fusion which could be understood as an aspiration of any meditation process (Enactivating a Cognitive Fusion Reactor Imaginal Transformation of Energy Resourcing (ITER-8), 2006).

Especially intriguing is any understanding of what "circulates" (Circulation of the Light: essential metaphor of global sustainability? 2010).

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