An aperspectival presentiation of integral consciousness: Based on Jean Gebser's structures of consciousness and the evolutionary psychology of Sri Aurobindo.

摘要

The transformative expectation of the integral worldview is emerging from within an already existing system of historical development; a worldview shaped by the current life conditions created by the previously arising structures of history that are continuously influencing the present. Notably, most of the essential elements of this "new" Integral Philosophy have been around for some time. Though there are six main Western philosophers (G.W.F. Hegel, H. Bergson, A.N. Whitehead, Teilhard de Chardin, J.M. Baldwin, and J. Gebser) considered the founders of the Integral Worldview, this project focuses on the writings and thought of only two of these modern thinkers, Sri Aurobindo and Jean Gebser.;Both Sri Aurobindo and Jean Gebser recognize a historical significance in the development of consciousness and culture; both philosophers dedicated their lives to presenting the evidence as they experienced it; and each compiled a wealth of recorded knowledge, of experiential knowing that has not been brought together in the way this dissertation will. This dissertation uses Gebser's map of the evolution of consciousness which is more historical and specific in its developmental terms than Sri Aurobindo, as a starting place to discuss the numerous similarities and important contrasts between Gebser's perspective and the thought and experiential wisdom of Sri Aurobindo. It is the intent of this project to expand the contextualization of Jean Gebser's structures of consciousness with the inclusion of the evolutionary descent of consciousness into matter and ascent of consciousness into spirit as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo.