Comments on: Grid-Group Cultural Theory: a way of trying not to fool yourself?

By: denis duclos

denis duclos — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:10:08 +0000

In Cultural theory, considering only “four” positions means that there are, like in a logical square, two main opposed principles and two mediations. The two main principles are “individualism” and “hierarchism”, because the first one is “empty” and the second one “full”. The two other positions are mediations, because they are “half-full/half-empty”.
Why has this difference between principles and mediations a strong anthropological meaning ? Because it reflects a cultural universal constant : Human beings constantly think and act through categories implied by langage. “Categories” just mean (as the greek etymology points it) making reality “falling” into closed entities, which existence is only guaranteed by contradiction, or systems of contradictions. For example, there is no “Rich” is there is no “Poor”, and reversedly.
We can assume that, in the human historical destiny, very strong, pragmatical oppositions have passed through various contexts. According to me, it is the case of close and friendly relationships in the very small group (not to be confused with a sect) as opposed to societal necessities (alliances between groups, for instance). In our immense societies, this opposition is dramatic, and even tragical.
I am quite aware this opposition does not not strictly reflect the douglasian “Individualist/Hierarchist” line, but it helps to understand that a small number of very strong contradictions can last over eons. But, they could not last so long if they were not “mediated”, and somehow relaxed by different styles of action between them. Two important styles appear immediatly and constantly in order to “moderate” the first “clash” : the first mediation is more “metaphorical”, (artistic or religious), the second is based on authority of pure regulation. Again, these mediations do not exactly fit the sectarian/enclavist diagonal in the douglasian model. But they allow everybody to understand that, in every society, believing in a communautarian ideal is not exactly the way of reconciling individuals and groups that is choosen by a pure legal or organizational constraint. So, mediations are at the same time immediatly and constantly necessary, and very different in style.
That is my way of understanding and interpreting a cultural theory, and maintaining it in front of objections pointing at the small number it is using. “Two” is the destiny of the speaking primate, because speaking always means breaking reality in opposite directions, and ‘”four” is only the beginning of plurality, using mediations to make the human world tolerable. Indeed,”four” is not a limitation : it is the principle representing the fact that human positions must be symmetrical as far as they want to be respected. Equality, here, means “equity”. For instance, a “well ordered society” (to quote Rawls) should be, in a cultural theory perspective, a social conversational field where there would be a balance between communautarian, societal, litigant and friendly/homely ways of building up social links. Please, think about this extension of douglasian concepts as an opportunity… to keep them alive and more recognized; it could also be useful to call for a pluralistic global society, as opposed to.. a world super-state .

By: Flaw in the model « Fourcultures

Flaw in the model « Fourcultures — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:47:59 +0000

[...] to Hierarchical, Fatalist or Egalitarian bias) would say?’ You can read more about this at A way of trying not to fool yourself. REP. HENRY WAXMAN: The question I have for you is, you had an ideology, you had a belief that [...]

By: On the Meaning of Culture « Fourcultures

On the Meaning of Culture « Fourcultures — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:11:36 +0000

[...] Now read: A way of trying not to fool yourself [...]

By: Characterising the Open Source Movement: It’s not the ‘new socialism’ « Fourcultures

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:48:27 +0000

[...] terms of Grid-Group Cultural Theory, one of the chief subjects of this website, I think the Open Source movement can better be [...]

By: The Dark Side of Cultural Theory « Fourcultures

The Dark Side of Cultural Theory « Fourcultures — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:28:40 +0000

[...] Doubt is their Product is written from an Egalitarian perspective and assumes mendacity on the part of industry and PR operatives. But Grid-group cultural theory suggests this may well not be so. The alternative is that they may genuinely believe in what they are doing. A great insight into the mindset of Individualism is Frank Furedi’s The Culture of Fear, which argues we should stop worrying over chemical spills and dodgy products and trust human ingenuity far more. Egalitarians who find this impossible to stomach would do well to investigate the theory in more detail. It can function as a method of avoiding cultural bias, by forcing us to examine our own biases, however unpalatable that may be. It’s a way, in Richard Feynman’s memorable phrase, of trying not to fool yourself. [...]