DOCSLIB.ORG

A Psychology of Peace: Development of a Transcendent Ontological Worldview

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Psychology of Peace: Development of a Transcendent Ontological Worldview A PSYCHOLOGY OF PEACE: DEVELOPMENT OF A TRANSCENDENT ONTOLOGICAL WORLDVIEW A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE DIVISION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT MĀNOA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY DECEMBER 2017 By Steven Paul James Dissertation Committee: Michael Salzman, Chairperson Min Liu Ashley Maynard Katherine Ratliffe Xu Di Keywords: education, intrinsic values, motivation, personal growth, post-traumatic growth, transcendence Abstract Transcendence is often thought of as a topic exclusive to religion and theology, but there is a considerable amount of psychological research into self-transcendence as a beneficial state of being. Those who display a transcendent ontology tend to possess increased empathy, intrinsic self-worth, humility, self-confidence, connectedness, and present-moment living; traits necessary for a peace- driven life. Despite millennia of writings on this topic and recent studies, no known research has attempted to unravel the self-transcendence developmental process. This study offers new theory to explain transcendence development. Self-transcendence is defined here as the perception of oneself as intimately and inseparably connected to the greater whole of humanity, nature, and the cosmos. This theory was tested using 167 adolescent participants who accomplished eight self-report inventories across two waves. These inventories measured three key constructs of self-transcendence, intrinsic self- esteem, and present-time orientation, along with outcome variables of empathy and narcissism. This research addressed the question of whether direct educational intervention could impact transcendence development within adolescents. A six-week transcendence development course was designed and given to three groups of students over three years. SEM models were partially validated. Self-transcendence was impacted by intrinsic, but not extrinsic, self-esteem, however, present-time orientation acted only as a moderator to an unanticipated variable in the development process. Self- engagement, understood as a self-actualization measure, appeared to mediate between intrinsic self- esteem and self-transcendence. Validating the effect of the course, a significant relationship was found between self-transcendence and course participation. Significant correlations with the model were found for empathy, social confidence, family education, and GPA. These quantitative results, along with qualitative interviews, suggested three types of individuals within the sample, one self-transcending and two impeded types. All three types conformed to outcomes seen in research on conditional parental regard, as well as self-theories of intelligence. The data suggest that families and communities ought to encourage intrinsic growth within individuals, while limiting expectations for success and conformity. Even with intrinsic valuations, individuals must engender positive self-narratives to actualize intrinsic strengths. Understanding the construction of this development process provides avenues to promote self-transcendence through education, inculcating beneficial and pro-social outcomes for peace-driven societies. ii Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... ii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................ vi List of Figures .............................................................................................................................................. vii List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................. viii Forward: A Personal Motivation .................................................................................................................. ix Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 Issue .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Significance of Research ........................................................................................................................... 2 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................................................. 4 The Role of Science in Transcendence ...................................................................................................... 5 Research Questions .................................................................................................................................. 6 Chapter 2: Theory Development & Literature Review ................................................................................. 8 Operationalizing Transcendent Ontological Worldview ........................................................................... 8 Ontological Worldview ........................................................................................................................... 11 Progressing Up Maslow’s Hierarchy ....................................................................................................... 13 The Dual Paths to Need Satisfaction ....................................................................................................... 15 Factors which Facilitate the Intrinsic Path .............................................................................................. 20 Present-Time versus Future-Time Orientation ....................................................................................... 22 An Educational Model and Approach for Transcendence ...................................................................... 26 Alternative Educational Framework Considerations .............................................................................. 35 Adolescent Identity Development .......................................................................................................... 41 Summary of Transcendence Development Theory ................................................................................ 51 Chapter 3: Methods .................................................................................................................................... 54 Participants ............................................................................................................................................. 54 Treatment Course ................................................................................................................................... 55 Measures ................................................................................................................................................. 58 Intrinsic Value Orientation .................................................................................................................. 59 Time Horizon Orientation ................................................................................................................... 59 Transcendent Ontological Worldview ................................................................................................ 60 Values Development ........................................................................................................................... 61 Qualitative Interviews ......................................................................................................................... 61 iii Inventory Procedures .............................................................................................................................. 63 Chapter 4: Results ....................................................................................................................................... 64 Chapter Summary ................................................................................................................................... 64 Model Construction and Validation .................................................................................................... 64 Two-Wave Comparison. ...................................................................................................................... 66 Correlation Analysis. ........................................................................................................................... 66 Qualitative Interviews. ........................................................................................................................ 67 Analysis of Research Question One ........................................................................................................ 67 Inventory Results. ............................................................................................................................... 67 Summary of Inventory Results. ........................................................................................................... 78 Identifying Factors. ............................................................................................................................. 79 Summary of Model Factor Construction. ............................................................................................ 88 Summary of Non-Model Factor
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A New Paradigm of Reality?
    Table of contents Part I: The New Paradigm of Reality ........................................... 9 Author’s foreword. ....................................................................... 9 Introduction: a change of context ...........................................17 Chapter 1. A new vision of the Cosmos and the person ......29 1.1 The evolution of physics ..............................................29 1.2 How does current science regard the Cosmos? .......38 1.3 Is the Universe holographic? .......................................55 1.4 The “observer” effect in quantum physics. .................59 1.5 Downward causality ......................................................63 Chapter 2. The human being in the New Paradigm ..............73 2.1 We are an evolving soul ................................................73 Chapter 3. Levels of consciousness .........................................97 3.1 Levels of consciousness ...............................................97 3.2 Happiness and level of consciousness .....................107 3.3 More detailed description of post-rational levels ....................................................................................108 3.4 Some examples of how human behavior is manifested through the different levels of consciousness ...............................................................118 3.5 Development lines and streams ...............................122 Chapter 4. Cognitive line development ..............................129 4.1 Archaic stage ...............................................................130
    [Show full text]
  • A Theological Meditation on Augustine's De Trinitate and Laozi's Dao De Jing
    In Search of Transcendent Order in A Violent World: A Theological Meditation on Augustine's de Trinitate and Laozi's Dao De Jing Author: Chan Hiutung Persistent link: http://hdl.handle.net/2345/1989 This work is posted on eScholarship@BC, Boston College University Libraries. Boston College Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, 2009 Copyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted. Boston College The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Department of Theology IN SEARCH OF TRANSCENDENT ORDER IN THE VIOLENT WORLD: A THEOLOGICAL MEDITATION OF LAOZI’S DAODE JING AND AUGUSTINE’S DE TRINITATE a dissertation by Hiutung Chan Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 2008 1 © copyright by HIUTUNG CHAN 2008 2 IN SEARCH OF TRANSCENDENT ORDER IN A VIOLENT WORLD: A THEOLOGICAL MEDITATION OF LAOZI’S DAODE JING AND AUGUSTINE’S DE TRINITATE Abstract by Hiutung Chan This dissertation is a comparative study of spiritual cultivation in Early Daoism and the spiritual teaching of Augustine’s Christianity. My goal is to examine how early Daoism’s founder, Laozi, and the Christian bishop, Augustine of Hippo, characterize the fulfillment of humanity through religious transformation. My argument is that the metaphysical speculations that figure in their works---and which scholarly readers often emphasize---are offshoots of profound practical, soteriological concerns. These soteriological concerns reveal that the primary interest for both writers was to discover those spiritual and intellectual practices that could most effectively mediate between human experience and the manifestation of transcendent order. This study takes its inspiration from pioneering instances of comparative theology (particularly works by Francis Clooney S.J.
    [Show full text]
  • Transcendent Philosophy an International Journal for Comparative Philosophy and Mysticism
    Volume 11. December 2010 Transcendent Philosophy An International Journal for Comparative Philosophy and Mysticism Editor Transcendent Philosophy Journal is an academic Seyed G. Safavi peer-reviewed journal published by the London SOAS, University of London, UK Academy of Iranian Studies (LAIS) and aims to create a dialogue between Eastern, Western and Book Review Editor Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism is published in Sajjad H. Rizvi December. Contributions to Transcendent Philosophy Exeter University, UK do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board or the London Academy of Iranian Editorial Board Studies. G. A’awani, Iranian Institue of Philosophy, Iran Contributors are invited to submit papers on the A. Acikgenc, Fatih University, Turkey following topics: Comparative studies on Islamic, M. Araki, Islamic Centre England, UK Eastern and Western schools of Philosophy, Philosophical issues in history of Philosophy, Issues S. Chan, SOAS University of London, UK in contemporary Philosophy, Epistemology, W. Chittick, State University of New York, USA Philosophy of mind and cognitive science, R. Davari, Tehran University, Iran Philosophy of science (physics, mathematics, biology, psychology, etc), Logic and philosophical G. Dinani, Tehran University, Iran logic, Philosophy of language, Ethics and moral P.S. Fosl, Transylvania University, USA philosophy, Theology and philosophy of religion, M. Khamenei, SIPRIn, Iran Sufism and mysticism, Eschatology, Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Art and Metaphysics. B. Kuspinar, McGill University, Canada H. Landolt, McGill University, Canada The mailing address of the Transcendent Philosophy O. Leaman, University of Kentucky, USA is: Y. Michot, Hartford Seminary, Macdonald Dr S.G. Safavi Center, USA Journal of Transcendent Philosophy M. Mohaghegh-Damad, Beheshti University, Iran 121 Royal Langford 2 Greville Road J.
    [Show full text]
  • Racial Violence and the Mystical Imaginary in Contemporary
    THINKING THE BODY TRANSCENDENT: RACIAL VIOLENCE AND THE MYSTICAL IMAGINARY IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN LITERATURE by ERICK SAMUEL SIERRA A dissertation submitted to the Graduate School-New Brunswick Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Program in Literatures in English Written under the direction of John A. McClure And approved by ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ New Brunswick, New Jersey May, 2010 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION THINKING THE BODY TRANSCENDENT: RACIAL VIOLENCE AND THE MYSTICAL IMAGINARY IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN LITERATURE by ERICK SAMUEL SIERRA Dissertation Director: John A. McClure Twentieth-century literature and theory have offered no shortage of challenges to the unity of personal identity. What these undertakings leave largely unquestioned, however, is the prevailing understanding that personal identity is sealed within the confines of the physical body—the final uncontested frontier of Cartesian identity. Emerging from a matrix of recent American literature—by Don DeLillo, Charles Johnson, Tony Kushner, Toni Morrison, among others—is a counter-argument to the notion that the materially bounded self is separate from other such selves in space. For the “individual” to take shape as such, it must locate itself within a specific social identity, disavowing its connection with those who identify themselves differently: a process, these texts suggest, that can unleash racial and ideological violence. My dissertation explores six late twentieth-century American novels and plays (1982 to 1998) that both dramatize this violent process and propose an alternative through images of humans dislocated from their bodies and fusing metaphysically with other open selves across space.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards a Co-Creative Encounter with the Book by Cameron Martin
    Gone Critical— Towards a Co-Creative Encounter with the Book by Cameron Martin Reid A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfilment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2010 ©Cameron Martin Reid 2010 I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii Abstract This dissertation follows two interrelated lines of inquiry. The first, I formulate as follows: (1) How, historically speaking, has the discourse of literary criticism thought the book? How has it represented the book? Used the book? Put simply, what has the book become in the hands of the critic? Though, of course, answers to such questions will vary widely—especially as they intersect with related matters concerning the critic, herself, and what Henry Sussman refers to as the perceived ―task of the critic‖—it is my contention that the discourse of literary criticism remains unified by its inability to extricate itself from what I call the transcendent orientation to literature: an orientation that has both ancient and modern coordinates. In Part 1 of the dissertation, I map criticism‘s ongoing historical affair with transcendence—an affair that begins as far back as the Platonic dialogues, but that can be traced right up through the twentieth century, in and through the work of any number of critics, and many prominent schools of literary critical thought.
    [Show full text]
  • 9789004225343 Webready Con
    Religion and the Body Numen Book Series Studies in the History of Religions Series Editors Steven Engler (Mount Royal University, Calgary, Canada) Richard King (University of Glasgow, Scotland) Kocku von Stuckrad (University of Groningen, The Netherlands) Gerard Wiegers (University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) VOLUME 138 The titles published in this series are listed at brill.nl/nus Religion and the Body Modern Science and the Construction of Religious Meaning Edited by David Cave Rebecca Sachs Norris LEIDEN • BOSTON 2012 This is an open access title distributed under the terms of the CC BY-NC 4.0 license, which permits any non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. Further information and the complete license text can be found at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc/4.0/ The terms of the CC license apply only to the original material. The use of material from other sources (indicated by a reference) such as diagrams, illustrations, photos and text samples may require further permission from the respective copyright holder. An electronic version of this book is freely available, thanks to the support of libraries working with Knowledge Unlatched. More information about the initiative can be found at www .knowledgeunlatched.org. Cover illustration: MRI scan of the human brain/head (Anonymous) This book is printed on acid-free paper. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Religion and the body : modern science and the construction of religious meaning / edited by David Cave, Rebecca Sachs Norris. pages cm. — (Numen book series, ISSN 0169-8834 ; volume 138) Includes bibliographical references and index.
    [Show full text]
  • ABSTRACT Manifestations of Transcendence in Twentieth
    ABSTRACT Manifestations of Transcendence in Twentieth-Century American Fiction: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Carson McCullers, J.D. Salinger, and Cormac McCarthy O. Alan Noble, Ph.D. Mentor: Luke Ferretter, Ph.D. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the secularization of American society poses a unique problem for fiction writers. As a number of scholars in various fields have established, humans desire and are oriented towards the transcendent, but in an increasingly secular world, the transcendent ceases to be conceivable as a reality irreducible to the material universe and instrumental reason. In response to this tension, American authors of the twentieth century sought alternative visions of transcendence which would not betray or challenge immanent materialism. Looking at the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Carson McCullers, J.D. Salinger, and Cormac McCarthy, this study traces various manifestations of transcendence in literature during this period. The thesis of the study is that a desire for the transcendent is a major preoccupation of twentieth- century American fiction, as authors tried to conceive of the otherworldly in immanent, materialist imagery and language, and that by tracing these manifestations of transcendence we gain a richer understanding of the texts, the literary period, and the social milieu out of which they arise. Copyright © 2013 O. Alan Noble All rights reserved. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE: Transcendence in the Twentieth Century...............................................1 A Definition of the Transcendent............................................................................7
    [Show full text]
  • A Divine Cordial, Or, the Transcendent Priviledge of Those That Love God and Are Savingly Called
    A Divine Cordial, or, The transcendent priviledge of those that love God and are savingly called ... by Thomas Watson A Divine Cordial, or, The transcendent priviledge of those that Thomas Watson love God and are savingly called ... Table of Contents About This Book. p. ii Title Page. p. 1 Extract from the Preface. p. 2 Introduction. p. 3 The best things work for good to the godly. p. 5 The worst things work for good to the godly. p. 12 Why all things work for good. p. 27 Of love to God. p. 34 The tests of love to God. p. 38 An exhortation to love God. p. 45 Effectual calling. p. 54 Exhortations to those who are called. p. 62 Concerning God's purpose. p. 65 Indexes. p. 67 Index of Scripture References. p. 67 iii A Divine Cordial, or, The transcendent priviledge of those that Thomas Watson love God and are savingly called ... iv A Divine Cordial, or, The transcendent priviledge of those that Thomas Watson love God and are savingly called ... A Divine Cordial By Thomas Watson 1663 A Divine Cordial, or, The transcendent priviledge of those that Thomas Watson love God and are savingly called ... Extract from the preface Christian Reader, There are two things, which I have always looked upon as difficult. The one is, to make the wicked sad; the other is, to make the godly joyful. Dejection in the godly arises from a double spring: either because their inward comforts are darkened, or their outward comforts are disturbed. To cure both these troubles, I have put forth this ensuing piece, hoping, by the blessing of God, it will buoy up their desponding hearts, and make them look with a more pleasant aspect.
    [Show full text]
  • Transcendent Philosophy an International Journal for Comparative Philosophy and Mysticism Editor Transcendent Philosophy Journal Is an Academic Seyed G
    Volume 12. December 2011 Transcendent Philosophy An International Journal for Comparative Philosophy and Mysticism Editor Transcendent Philosophy Journal is an academic Seyed G. Safavi peer-reviewed journal published by the London SOAS, University of London, UK Academy of Iranian Studies (LAIS) and aims to create a dialogue between Eastern, Western and Book Review Editor Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism is published in Transcendent Sajjad H. Rizvi December. Contributions to Exeter University, UK Philosophy do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board or the London Academy of Iranian Editorial Board Studies. G. A’awani, Iranian Institue of Philosophy, Iran Contributors are invited to submit papers on the A. Acikgenc, Fatih University, Turkey following topics: Comparative studies on Islamic, M. Araki, Islamic Centre England, UK Eastern and Western schools of Philosophy, Philosophical issues in history of Philosophy, Issues S. Chan, SOAS University of London, UK in contemporary Philosophy, Epistemology, W. Chittick, State University of New York, USA Philosophy of mind and cognitive science, R. Davari, Tehran University, Iran Philosophy of science (physics, mathematics, biology, psychology, etc), Logic and philosophical G. Dinani, Tehran University, Iran logic, Philosophy of language, Ethics and moral P.S. Fosl, Transylvania University, USA philosophy, Theology and philosophy of religion, M. Khamenei, SIPRIn, Iran Sufism and mysticism, Eschatology, Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Art and Metaphysics. B. Kuspinar, McGill University, Canada H. Landolt, McGill University, Canada The mailing address of the Transcendent Philosophy O. Leaman, University of Kentucky, USA is: Y. Michot, Hartford Seminary, Macdonald Dr S.G. Safavi Center, USA Journal of Transcendent Philosophy M. Mohaghegh-Damad, Beheshti University, Iran 121 Royal Langford 2 Greville Road J.
    [Show full text]
  • Information to Users
    INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely afreet reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 THE CONSTRUCTION OF RACE AND THE REPRESENTATION OF ETHNIC DIFFERENCE IN AMERICAN AND BRITISH SCIENCE FICTION DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy In the Graduate School of The Ohio State University by Javier A.
    [Show full text]
  • With Reason, Faith, and Tradition: Explorations in Catholic Theology, Revised Edition, Martin Albl Has Written a Timely Book
    Reason, Faith, and Tradition: Explorations in Catholic Theology, Revised Edition, (Winona, MN: Anselm Academic, 2015). Copyright © 2015 by Martin C. Albl. All rights reserved. www.anselmacademic.org. With Reason, Faith, and Tradition: Explorations in Catholic Theology, Revised Edition, Martin Albl has written a timely book that corrects the increasingly prev- alent assumption that faith and reason remain antithetical to each other. Lucidly written, this learned but accessible book provides a thoroughgoing analysis of the best arguments on all sides in an effort to demonstrate the reasonableness of faith; a rational person may indeed believe in God. More than that, how- ever, Albl writes perceptively about our inherent desire for the transcendent, that foundational awareness that one has been called beyond the finite realm to participate in an infinite good. —Ian Christopher Levy Providence College Martin Albl’s Reason, Faith, and Tradition, Revised Edition, offers a brilliantly written text that serves well for in-class use. Professors and students will ben- efit from the additional chapters and the helpful links to videos and websites that offer supplementary content. The extended discussion and guided reading questions draw out key ideas and can be used for class discussions. The chapters do an impressive job of highlighting the historical development of key theo- logical concepts without simplifying the complex history of thought in the Catholic tradition. —Randall Woodard, PhD Saint Leo University I’ve been teaching Introduction to Catholic Theology for the past eighteen years, and I only wish that Martin Albl’s Reason, Faith, and Tradition: Explora- tions in Catholic Theology, Revised Edition had been there from the beginning! Albl’s book has a central argument—that faith and reason, which have been tragically separated in modernity, are compatible by nature—which it makes while introducing all manner of doctrines, theologians, controversies, etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Long Earth) 2 Pdf, Epub, Ebook
    THE LONG WAR: (LONG EARTH) 2 PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Terry Pratchett,Stephen Baxter,Michael Fenton Stevens | none | 25 Jul 2013 | Cornerstone | 9781846573729 | English | London, United Kingdom The Long War: (Long Earth) 2 PDF Book Yet we now find that space has become highly contested, and the gains we possess are threatened. Namespaces Article Talk. It is a dry, cratered world without any atmosphere. Archived from the original on 25 March We need to be able to defend those. Nearly 9 billion species of plants, animals, and insects are known to inhabit the planet. Once everyone has returned to the Datum or close by , Yellowstone erupts on Datum, causing most of America to flee stepwise. Daily Express. After Russia tested what Shaw described as its space torpedo, Raymond said the U. Space Command could help shape those future rules, he said, while Space Force develops the troops with the training and experience to operate there. Traces The Hunters of Pangaea. It has a surface that is pockmarked with craters made by incoming asteroids and comets. It resurrected the once-defunct Space Command, designating the cosmos a combatant command just like U. The U. Discworld Monthly. The books explore the theme of how humanity might develop when freed from resource constraints: one example Pratchett has cited is that wars result from lack of land, and he was curious as to what would happen if there was no shortage of land or other resources. Retrieved 22 December Retrieved 16 December Views Read Edit View history. The original basis for the series was Pratchett's then-unpublished short story "The High Meggas", which he wrote as a starting point for a potential series while his first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic , was undergoing publication.
    [Show full text]