Cultural engineering refers to the engineering of the human cultural mind in a way that allows the management of all human cultural challenges. As technical engineering has enabled the conquest of outer space, so will cultural engineering enable mankind to effectively manage inner and outer human cultural space.
The study uses science and engineering metaphors for innovative culture research.
Table of Contents
1. Cultural Engineering: Beyond Cultural Relativism
2. Cultural Reverse, Forward Engineering And Beyond
3. Cultural Quantum Engineering: Mapping Of The Cultural Engineer’s Mind And Identification Of Its Structural And Functional Axiomatic
3.1 The Completion Of The Intercultural Edifice
3.2 Design Of A Scientifically-Based International Diversity-Integrative Transcultural Profiler - The State Of The Intercultural Art And Science: On Human Relativity In Intercultural Research
3.3 On Enhancing The Intercultural Art And Science: Sources, Models And The Achievement Of Supreme Cultural Intelligence
4. Cultural Engineering Toolkit
Research Objectives and Themes
This work aims to advance the field of intercultural management by proposing a holistic, transcultural paradigm that transcends traditional relativist perspectives. It seeks to resolve the perennial conflict between centrifugal and centripetal forces in human society by integrating scientific, psychological, and metaphysical insights into a unified cultural engineering framework.
- The integration of Newtonian and quantum metaphors for cultural management.
- The development of a transcultural consciousness to address global complexity.
- Mapping the cultural engineer's mind through structural and functional axioms.
- Providing a practical toolkit for managing diverse cultural interactions in global environments.
Excerpt from the Book
Cultural Engineering Beyond Relativism
Cultural engineering refers to the engineering of the human cultural mind in a way that allows the management of all human cultural challenges. As technical engineering has enabled the conquest of outer space, so will cultural engineering enable mankind to effectively manage inner and outer human cultural space.
If in a family, in a company, in a nation everybody wants to have his way at the expense of the other, the notions of democracy, equality and freedom are thrown overboard. The relativization of everything by one's personal circumstance, though intellectually intelligible, can be used as a pretext and licence to throw the acquis of millennia of human civilization over board and to legitimize precivilized total predatorism. Thus culturalism and relativism become a dangerous -ism, comparable to the fascisms and communisms etc. of the past century, yet quantitatively magnified because so many would like to expand their ISM, their cultural and religious and ethnic ISM which means reducing that of others'. This centrifugal tendency challenges the response of centripetal forces to keep societies viable. The centrifugal and the centripetal, the universalist and the particularist tendencies need to be reconciled. This is the only way to ensure viable human societies, which ensure individual freedom while maintaining functional collectivities: the best of individual uniqueness and collective uniqueness, the superiority of a functional totality.
Summary of Chapters
1. Cultural Engineering: Beyond Cultural Relativism: This chapter critiques the dangers of absolute relativism and introduces cultural engineering as a method to reconcile individual and collective needs through universal, functional principles.
2. Cultural Reverse, Forward Engineering And Beyond: The author discusses the transition from reactive, reverse-engineered approaches to proactive, forward-engineering capabilities needed for modern global complexity.
3. Cultural Quantum Engineering: Mapping Of The Cultural Engineer’s Mind And Identification Of Its Structural And Functional Axiomatic: This central chapter explores the "quantum" nature of consciousness and culture, laying out the theoretical foundation for a new integrative paradigm.
3.1 The Completion Of The Intercultural Edifice: This section reviews the history of intercultural research and argues for the necessity of transcending current models to achieve a more complete map of culture.
3.2 Design Of A Scientifically-Based International Diversity-Integrative Transcultural Profiler - The State Of The Intercultural Art And Science: On Human Relativity In Intercultural Research: This chapter contextualizes current global challenges and proposes a scientifically-based, integrative profiler for global managers.
3.3 On Enhancing The Intercultural Art And Science: Sources, Models And The Achievement Of Supreme Cultural Intelligence: The author synthesizes various scientific and philosophical insights to outline the path toward supreme cultural intelligence.
4. Cultural Engineering Toolkit: This section provides practical models and methodologies—such as the ORJI, PIE, and various integrative frameworks—for real-world cultural management.
Keywords
Cultural Engineering, Transcultural Management, Cultural Relativity, Centripetal Forces, Centrifugal Forces, Quantum Cultural Engineering, Intercultural Competence, Consciousness Evolution, Global Management, Integrative Paradigm, Cultural Awareness, Human Unity, Psychological Architecture, Transcultural Profiler, Systemic Integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this book?
The book focuses on "cultural engineering," an approach designed to manage human cultural challenges by moving beyond simple relativism toward a more integrative, transcultural understanding of human consciousness and social dynamics.
What are the key thematic areas?
The core themes include the reconciliation of centrifugal and centripetal social forces, the application of hard science metaphors (such as quantum mechanics) to social systems, and the development of a comprehensive, integrative cultural intelligence for global managers.
What is the central research goal?
The goal is to provide a "complete map" of culture that transcends dualistic, conflict-prone models, enabling more effective and sustainable management of human diversity in an increasingly globalized world.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses metaphorical transpositions of hard science principles, such as complementarity in quantum physics, alongside neurophysiological analogies and traditional philosophical inquiries, to construct a transdisciplinary framework for culture.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The work moves from an initial critique of cultural relativism into a detailed "quantum" mapping of the cultural engineer's mind, culminating in the presentation of a "Transcultural Profiler" and a toolkit for practical application in global business.
How can one define the work using its keywords?
The work is defined by its focus on integrative cultural engineering, transcultural management, the evolution of human consciousness, and the shift from dialectic conflict toward synergistic unity.
What is the significance of the "architectural dome" metaphor?
It is a visual, structural model that highlights how hierarchically integrated levels of consciousness (from physical and intercultural to transcultural and cosmic) can provide a holistic framework for global management.
Why does the author advocate for a "quantum cultural" approach?
The author argues that a quantum approach allows for a "wave-particle" understanding of culture, where specific cultural data (particles) are balanced by dynamic, integrative momentum (waves), leading to a more comprehensive and stable management of cultural diversity.
- Quote paper
- D.E.A./UNIV. PARIS I Gebhard Deißler (Author), 2013, Human Cultural Engineering, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/215873
