PART THREE
semantic space
The term Semantic Space was, to my knowledge, coined by the psychologist Charles E. Osgood. He used it to indicate the emotive distances between similar terms. I use it quite differently, and one might well say, more pretentiously, to indicate a universe of meanings. I see this Space as determined by six dimensions that separate , at a given moment, the meanings of our responses to problems. This results in Individual and Collective hypercubes each with sixty-four terms for responses to problems at their corners. (Part 4, entitled Isomorphisms, combines the hypercubes for Individuals and for Collectives to show the similarity of their problem-contexts and response-modes..) All languages may be expected to have equivalent responses on the sixty-four corners.
The dimensions of the sixteen cubic representations that follow are similar to the contrasts in activity, strength and valence described in Part One. The eight corner options, each calculated to characterize the combination of six binary variables, begin with their first letters capitalized. I see these sets of prototypes as reflecting the positive versus negative contrasts of the Style Cube shown in Part Two, i. e.,
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Active & Strong as either Resilient or Tough,
Passive & Strong as either Stable or Rigid,
Active & Weak as either Flexible or Brittle, and
Passive & Weak as either Yielding or Collapsed.
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For the paradigmatic Model of White versus Black, for example, you will see that shifts transform the spontaneity of Hedonism to the domestication of Governance. These dimensions change from:
- passive / active to protracted / immediate
- weak / strong to erratic / sustained
- negative / positive to undesirable / desirable
For individuals, the changes are:
- to expectations (from arousal)
- to involvement (from mobilization)
- to self-rejection / self-acceptance (from 'repelled / attracted')
For collectivities, they are changes:
- to authority (from force)
- to control (from influence)
- to disrespectable / respectable (from vulnerable / safe)
Thus, regarding the Individual hypercube's black of judgmental Governance, Identity combines:
- low versus high expectations
- mild versus salient involvement
- - versus + values
and, for the Collective hypercube, Policy has:
- slight versus great exigency
- loose versus tight control
- bad versus good
Inversely, for the white of situational Hedonism, the Dispositions of Individuals combine:
- uninterested versus demanding
- relaxed versus mobilized
- against versus desired
while Interaction combines:
- static versus dynamic
- dull versus influential
- defensive versus affirmative
I present the sixteen archetypes in sets of four according to the contrasting polar axes of their hypercubes, i. e.,
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White for Hedonistic Reactions and Interaction versus
Black for Identify and Policy;
Yellow for Existeniality and Ideology versus
Violet for Character and Communality;
Orange for Personality and Organization versus
Blue for Emotions and Belonging;
Green for Probity and Piety versus
Red for Habits and Reciprocity.
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My pattern of presentation for the archetypes will be the following:
|
| Dimensions |
|
Positive | versus | Negative |
| Active | versus | Passive |
| Strong | versus | Weak |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
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Resilient | versus | Collapsed |
Yielding | versus | Tough |
Flexible | versus | Rigid |
Stable | versus | Brittle |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
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Resilient | versus | Tough |
| Yielding | versus | Collapsed |
| Flexible | versus | Brittle |
| Stable | versus | Rigid |
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Important to recall is that the prototypic responses reflect meeting-points of the three 'zero / one' archetypal variables with those of the three similar bifurcated ones for variations in style.
White vs. Black
The immediacy of arousal, the potency of needs, and the '+/-' evaluations of their hedonistic significance are best illustrated by the response cubes underlying stylistic variations both in our reaction dispositions and in our interactions with others. Their shared dimensionson the Model are:
| |
Pleasurable | versus | Painful |
| Aroused | versus | Casual |
| Mobilized | versus | Relaxed |
For the White Cube of Individuals' Hedonistic Reactions, the elements are as follows:
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| Dimensions |
|
For | versus | Against |
Aroused (stimulated / irritated) | versus | Casual (adaptable / unadaptable) |
Mobilized (motivated / frustrated) | versus | Relaxed (satisfied / disatisfied) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
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Creative | versus | Wasting |
Consuming | versus | Taking |
Using | versus | Salvaging |
Saving | versus | Abusing |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
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Creative | versus | Taking |
| Consuming | versus | Wasting |
| Using | versus | Abusing |
| Saving | versus | Salvaging |
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Similarly, for the White Cube of Hedonistic Interaction
Among Individuals, the elements are as follows:
|
| Dimensions |
|
Affirmative | versus | Defensive |
Forceful (stimulated / irritated) | versus | Low Force (adaptable / unadaptable) |
Influential (motivated / frustrated) | versus | Low Influence (satisfied / disatisfied) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Concerted | versus | Mutual Avoidance |
Compromising | versus | Conflictful |
Competitive | versus | Confrontational |
Cooperative | versus | Cutthroat Competition |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
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Concerted | versus | Conflictful |
| Compromising | versus | Mutual Avoidance |
| Competitive | versus | Cutthroat Competition |
| Cooperative | versus | Confrontational |
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These two White cubes have similar connotations for their corners, despite their different dimensions. They show variations in our attractions and aversions to the vicisitudes of everyday life - its 'fun and games' and their downside.
The cubes above show spontaneous individual and collective responses to incidental problems. In contrast, those shown below for Self-Identity and Collective Policy are postures reflecting the completion of systematization: demands externalized, needs internalized and evaluations objectified. Rather than their valence variables being either positive or negative reactions to anticipated pleasure or pain, they show opposition between worthy and unworthy reactions (for individuals the contrast is between self-acceptance and self-rejection, while for collectives, it is the contrast between respectability and disrepute). See Figure 6 and Figure 7.
The domesticated Governance cubes of Identity and Policy share these diensions on the Model:
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Worthy | versus | Unworthy |
| Immediate | versus | Protracted |
| Sustained | versus | Episodic |
For the Black Cube of Individual Identity, the components are as follows:
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| Dimensions |
|
Self-Acceptance | versus | Self-Rejection |
Expectant (free / coerced) | versus | Low Expectations (perfunctory / constrained) |
Involved (determined / threatened) | versus | Low Involvement (trusting / suspicious) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Autonomous | versus | Deflated |
Submissive | versus | Defiant |
Spontaneous | versus | Retentive |
Steadfast | versus | Disruptive |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
|
Autonomous | versus | Defiant |
| Submissive | versus | Deflated |
| Spontaneous | versus | Disruptive |
| Steadfast | versus | Retentive |
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For the Black Cube of Collective Policy, the components are as follows:
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| Dimensions |
|
Respectable | versus | Disrespected |
Authoritative (free / coerced) | versus | Low Authority (perfunctory / constrained) |
Controlling (determined / threatened) | versus | Low Control (trusting / suspicious) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Performant | versus | Decadent |
Pluralist | versus | Partisan |
Cosmopolitan | versus | Repressive |
Provincial | versus | Agitated |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
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Performant | versus | Partisan |
| Pluralist | versus | Decadent |
| Cosmopolitan | versus | Agitated |
| Provincial | versus | Repressive |
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The stylistic modes on the corners of these two Black cubes may well remind you of a horoscope or of yhe typologies popularized in the literature of 'management. Here I specify their differing dimensions and their interrelationships.
The next four Figures do for the yellow / violet contrast of the Projective and Maintenance archetypes what Figures 4 and 5 and Figures 6 and 7 have done for the white / black of Hedonism versus Governance.
Thereafter, two more sets of four Figures do the same for the orange / blue Operative versus Expressive axis and the green / red one of Regulative versus Instrumental.
Yellow versus Violet
The Model's dimensions for the Existential Agendas and Ideological
Orientations are
| |
Desirable | versus | Undesirable |
| Aroused | versus | Casual |
| Mobilized | versus | Relaxed |
and its dimensions for the Maintenance Violet of Character and Community
are:
| |
Harmony | versus | Discord |
| Immediate | versus | Protracted |
| Sustained | versus | Episodic |
The Yellow for our personal agendas or fleeting projects is the archetype that is the key to the qualities we characterize as 'human' - ones where the subjective 'I' has become an objectified reflective 'me'.
For the Yellow Cube of Existential Orientations, the components
are as follows:
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| Dimensions |
|
Resolute | versus | Unwilling |
Demanding (stimulated / irritated) | versus | Low Demand (adaptable / unadaptable) |
Needful (motivated / frustrated) | versus | Low Need (satisfied / dissatisfied) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Affirmative | versus | Despairing |
Compliant | versus | Vengeful |
Tolerant | versus | Intolerant |
Responsible | versus | Irrespossible |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
|
Affirmative | versus | Vengeful |
| Compliant | versus | Despairing |
| Tolerant | versus | Irresponsible |
| Responsible | versus | Intolerant |
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Below are the 'political' options open to us from moment to moment, depending upon the shifting combinations of the dimensions affecting our vital space. Here is the breeding ground of all social movements.
For the Yellow Cube of Idelogical Orientations, the components are as follows:
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| Dimensions |
|
Empathic | versus | Biggoted |
Forceful (stimulated / irritated) | versus | Low Force (adaptable / unadaptable) |
Influential (motivated / frustrated) | versus | Low Influence (satisfied / dissatisfied) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Progressive | versus | Cynical |
Conformist | versus | Insurgent |
Liberal | versus | Reactionary |
Conservative | versus | Radical |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
|
Progressive | versus | Cynical |
| Conformist | versus | Insurgent |
| Liberal | versus | Radical |
| Conservative | versus | Reactionary |
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For the Violet Cube of Character, the components are as follows:
|
| Dimensions |
|
Satiable | versus | Insatiasiable |
Expectant (free / coerced) | versus | Low Expectations (perfunctory / constrained) |
Involved (determined / threatened) | versus | Low Involvement (trusting / suspicious) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Productive | versus | Squandering |
Receptive | versus | Destructive |
Marketing | versus | Hoarding |
Investing | versus | Gambling |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
|
Productive | versus | Destructive |
| Receptive | versus | Phlegmatic |
| Marketing | versus | Gambling |
| Investing | versus | Hoarding |
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For the Violet Cube of Community, the components are as follows:
|
| Dimensions |
|
Fair | versus | Unfair |
Authoritative (free / coerced) | versus | Low Authority (perfunctory / constrained) |
Controlling (determined / threatened) | versus | Low Control (trusting / suspicious) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Integration | versus | Escapism |
Accommodation | versus | Contestation |
Assimilation | versus | Separatism |
Amalgamation | versus | Opportunism |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
|
Integration | versus | Contestation |
| Accommodation | versus | Escapism |
| Assimilation | versus | Opportunism |
| Amalgamation | versus | Separatism |
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Orange versus Blue
The Model's dimensions for the Operative Orange of Personality and
Organization are:
| |
Honest | versus | Dishonest |
| Immediate | versus | Protracted |
| Mobilized | versus | Relaxed |
and its dimensions for the Expressive Blue of Emotions and Belonging are:
| |
open | versus | vulnerable |
| aroused | versus | casual |
| sustained | versus | episodic |
For the Orange Cube of Personality, the components are as follows:
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| Dimensions |
|
Confident | versus | Shamed |
Expectant (free / coerced) | versus | Low Expectations (perfunctory / constrained) |
Needful (motivated / frustrated) | versus | Low Needs (satisfied / dissatisfied) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Challenged | versus | Resigned |
Adjustive | versus | Subversive |
Innovative | versus | Perfectionist |
Orthodox | versus | Eccentric |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
|
Challenged | versus | Subversive |
| Adjustive | versus | Resigned |
| Innovative | versus | Eccentric |
| Orthodox | versus | Perfectionism |
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For the Orange Cube of Organization, the components are as follows:
|
| Dimensions |
|
Legitimate | versus | Illegitimate |
Authoritative (free / coerced) | versus | Low Authority (perfunctory / constrained) |
Influential (motivated / frustrated) | versus | Low Influence (satisfied / dissatisfied) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Self-Management | versus | Alienation |
Attribution | versus | Disciplined |
Alliance | versus | Exploitation |
Paternalistic | versus | Antagonistic |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
|
Self-Management | versus | Disciplined |
| Attribute | versus | Alienation |
| Alliance | versus | Antagonistic |
| Paternalistic | versus | Exploitation |
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For the Blue Cube of Emotions, the components are as follows:
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| Dimensions |
|
Security | versus | Anxiety |
Demanding (stimulated / irritated) | versus | Low Demands (adaptable / unadapteble) |
Involved (determined / threatened) | versus | Low Involvement (trusting / suspicious) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Love | versus | Angst |
Happiness | versus | Anger |
Joy | versus | Grief |
Concern | versus | Disgust |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
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Love | versus | Anger |
| Happiness | versus | Angst |
| Joy | versus | Disgust |
| Concern | versus | Grief |
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For the Blue Cube of Belonging, the components are as follows:
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| Dimensions |
|
Compassion | versus | Prejudice |
Forceful (stimulated / irritated) | versus | Low Force (adaptable / unadapteble) |
Controlling (determined / threatened) | versus | Low Control (trusting / suspicious) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Enthusiastic | versus | Stagnent |
Friendly | versus | Hostile |
Expansive | versus | Constrained |
Supportive | versus | Troubled |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
|
Enthusiastic | versus | Hostile |
| Friendly | versus | Stagnent |
| Expensive | versus | Troubled |
| Supportive | versus | Constrained |
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Green versus Red
The Model's dimensions for the Regulative Green of Probity and of Piety are:
| |
Good | versus | Bad |
| Aroused | versus | Casual |
| Sustained | versus | Episodic |
and its dimensions for the Instrumental Red of habitual Dispositions and of Reciprocity are:
| |
Optimistic | versus | Pessimistic |
| Immediate | versus | Protracted |
| Mobilized | versus | Relaxed |
For the Green Cube of Probity, the components are as follows:
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| Dimensions |
|
Innocent | versus | Guilty |
Demanding (stimulated / irritated) | versus | Low Demands (adaptable / unadapteble) |
Involved (determined / threatened) | versus | Low Involvement (trusting / suspicious) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Dedicated | versus | Detached |
Benign | versus | Malignant |
Liberated | versus | Possessive |
Protective | versus | Libertarian |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
|
Dedicated | versus | Malignant |
| Benign | versus | Detached |
| Liberated | versus | Libertarian |
| Protective | versus | Possessive |
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For the Green Cube of Piety, the components are as follows:
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| Dimensions |
|
Virtuous | versus | Vicious |
Forcefjul (stimulated / irritated) | versus | Low Force (adaptable / unadapteble) |
Controlling (determined / threatened) | versus | Low Control (trusting / suspicious) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Promethean | versus | Anomic |
Buddhist | versus | Satanic |
Bohemian | versus | Christian |
Apollonian | versus | Dionysian |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
|
Promethean | versus | Satanic |
| Buddhist | versus | Anomic |
| Bohemian | versus | Dionysian |
| Apollonian | versus | Christian |
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For the Red Cube of Habits, the components are as follows:
|
| Dimensions |
|
Facilitating | versus | Constricted |
Expectant (free / coerced) | versus | Low Expectations (perfunctory / constrained) |
Needful (motivated / frustrated) | versus | Low Needs (satisfied / dissatisfied) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Imaginative | versus | Desperate |
Hopeful | versus | Agressive |
Attractive | versus | Punishing |
Rewarding | versus | Repelling |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
|
Imaginative | versus | Aggressive |
| Hopeful | versus | Desperate |
| Attractive | versus | Repelling |
| Rewarding | versus | Punishing |
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For the Red Cube of Reciprocity, the components are as follows:
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| Dimensions |
|
Accepting | versus | Discriminatory |
Expectant (free / coerced) | versus | Low Expectations (perfunctory / constrained) |
Influential (motivated / frustrated) | versus | Low Influence (satisfied / dissatisfied) |
| Three-Dimensional Oppositions |
|
Generative | versus | Degenerative |
Superior/Inferior | versus | Oppressor/Oppressed |
Dominant/Submissive | versus | Victimizer/Victim |
Superordinate/Subordinate | versus | Winner/Loser |
| Positive vs. Negative Contrasts |
|
Generative | versus | Oppressor/Oppressed |
| Superior/Inferior | versus | Degenerative |
| Dominant/Submissive | versus | Winner/Loser |
| Superordinate/Subordinate | versus | Victimizer/Victim |
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