What's integral philosophy?

[Nick]

That's a good question, Athios,

In San Francisco, north of where I live, there is a California Institute of Integral Studies. I looked at their online catalog and found the following:

"Integral," a term that has been subject to a variety of interpretations through the Institute's history, has its source in the integral philosophy of Sri Aurobindo, the Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher. In his The Philosophy of Integralism (1954), Dr. Chaudhuri offered the following definition of integral studies:

From a renewed contact with the mainsprings of Indian culture, the leaders of renascent India came up with a very comprehensive outlook. They found that the distinctive values of East and West can be harmoniously blended within the framework of that outlook. We may call that the integral outlook. It has been the source of inspiration to the neo-Hindu and the neo-Vedantic movement in India. It stresses the need for a comprehensive philosophy of life as the foundation for integrated living, reconciling both material and spiritual values. It embodies a creative synthesis integrating the highest cultural values of East and West. It reconciles the economical, political, scientific, and humanistic values of the modern West with the psychological, ontological, and universal-religious values of the East."

Very best,

[Athios]

[:O] Okay, I didn't understand all of that, but I have a pretty idea now I guess. Thanks for the reply!  []

[Nick]

Hi Athios,

Your question got me thinking that I really didn't know what it was either. The above definition is a description I found online. I'll keep looking, and if I find something better I'll post it.

Meanwhile, if someone else has input please post a definition or a link. Thanks. []

Very best,

[Athios]

Yeah, thanks.

So far, I'm thinking it's an integrative view or philosophy, that overlooks cultural or religious boundaries?

[Nick]

Ok Athios, here's another one:

"I therefore sought to outline a philosophy of universal integralism. Put differently, I sought a world philosophy—or an integral philosophy—that would believably weave together the many pluralistic contexts of science, morals, aesthetics, Eastern as well as Western philosophy, and the world's great wisdom traditions. Not on the level of details—that is finitely impossible; but on the level of orienting generalizations . . . a holistic philosophy for a holistic Kosmos, a genuine Theory of Everything."

—Ken Wilber (A Theory of Everything, p. 38).

The above quote is by Ken Wilber. You can read more on him and Integral Philosophy at the following links:

http://www.myions.org/Online%20Library/nsrev/review_archives/issue55/55TOE.htm

http://www.worldofkenwilber.com/

It's kind of deep reading, but worthwhile if you're up for it. []

[beavis]

Integral philosophy is a sick set of beliefs including that derivatives are evil.

[Athios]

Hmm...Interesting...  []

beavis, yeah, derivatives ARE evil!  []

[beavis]

evil if you're mathematically disabled. They're very useful, especially in my subconscious thoughts (i do too much math).

[Athios]

I've been checking out this forum for a while, but I still don't have any idea what integral philosophy is......  [?]