Susanne Cook Greuter is internationally known as the leading expert in mature ego development and self-actualization. In this episode, Susanne and I explore:
* using metaphor and story to better understand Ego Development Theory
* overcoming the idea that everyone needs to convert to your worldview
* the necessity of every stage of development
* the fantasy of integral — and the delusion that stage yellow will save us
* conventional stages mastering integral theory without embodying it
* EDT as the stories we tell ourselves
* knowing what it’s time to drop stage theory and perceive reality directly
* the developmental process defined as the degree of not-knowing
* deconstruction process as perceiving reality without concepts
* simplicity on the other side of complexity
* values and virtues as more important than stage development
* developed human beings who can be quite contemptible vs. simple human beings who are generous, humble, and in service to humanity
* the myth of the self-made man and the interdependence of all thing
* how some systems thinkers may still be operating at the expert-achiever stage of development
* language as central to meaning-making
* colonization of the western mind
* english as being phenomenologically limited, yet fundamental to development at the same time
If you’re interested in learning more about Susanne’s work I’d recommend starting here: Introduction to Ego Development Theory.
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