Manifesto
- There is a fascinating emerging body of knowledge in the field of adult development.
- Notably, the insights around cognitive development are not fully accessible yet.
- How would our world look if we applied these evolving insights to the fields of businesses, education, politics etc?
- CAD, the Center of Applied of Dialectics, opens up a platform for practitioners in the field of adult development, integrating research into their practice, exchanging findings and thereby nourishing each other, empowering others to do likewise.
- Our mission is to grow the understanding of dialectical thinking, not as something that is abstract and of use only to high-minded philosophers, but as a practical tool for all adults to apply in thinking about the complex problems that surround us in today’s world.
Next Salon: Nov 5th 5pm CET - Tamas Madl: The Hidden Structure of Adult Development: How AI Can Map — and Catalyze — Vertical Growth
Most Recent Salon:
- Sept 9th 7pm CET: Danila Medvedev: Beyond Dialectical Thinking: An Integrated Toolkit to Upgrade Human Cognition and Outthink AI
The boundary between AI being a supplement, or being a replacement, to human thinking grows blurrier every day. AI is redefining what "thinking" is and means for our species. At risk is a future where AI outmatches humans, and our critical skills, agency, judgement and long-term thinking are lost. To avoid disastrous obsolescence we must upgrade human cognition. In this talk Danila will introduce the concept of “representations” as a means to capture, link and reflect on the whole range of human cognitive abilities. He will go on to describe a framework that conceptualises and augments human intelligence, and will demonstrate how this can be used as a means to teach foundational thinking skills. He will also describe his own software tool “NeyroKod” which can be used to organise data and help solve complex problems.
Danila Medvedev is a Russian futurologist, philosopher, and technology expert. Over 20 years he has synthesized research in intelligence augmentation into a cohesive system: creating methods for better reasoning, tools like NeyroKod, and a visual language to make ideas and concepts tangible. His work now focuses on urgently scaling cognitive upgrades to turn a "survival guide" into a movement. He seeks answers to questions such as: can thinking be taught like literacy, using visual frameworks even a 10-year-old could grasp? Should we launch a global "cognitive infrastructure" project or embed these tools in organizations quietly? And critically: do we have enough high-level thinkers to understand these ideas and bootstrap this initiative?
Future Salons:
- Dec 3rd 7pm CET: Igor and Olga Shiyan
The zoom link
for all salons: https://zoom.us/j/4078847969?pwd=K1ZxbWxEdi9aaXdJdGJKaTVuTEk0QT09
Calendar:
Use this link to integrate the CAD calendar into your google calendar - no more misunderstanding about time zones :-) https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=d2VhdmVyQHByby1hY3Rpb24uZXU
Past Salons:
- Rainer von Leoprechting, Jackie Thoms: Adult Development Assessments: Influencing Senior Team Engagement - Benefits, Case Studies, Insights
Tue May 25th 2021; recording: https://youtu.be/_g-LHTTGIYo - Bernhard Possert, MindOpening Dialogue Platform: Scaling Development? Tue June 22nd 2021; recording: https://youtu.be/DWYsSd4JSuM
- Nick Shannon, Metathinking, Tue Sept 21st 2021; recording: https://youtu.be/Jr4i4FBzQkU
- Graham Boyd , Illustrating the 28 Dialectic Thoughtforms through their application in the system described in the book "Rebuild: Leadership, the Economy and You" - A toolkit for builders of a better world ; recording: https://youtu.be/J11Xiud-Md4
- Jan de Visch , The Practice of Deliberately Developmental Facilitation in Organizational Development: The use of digital and analog tools to strengthen critical reflection and enhance learning; Tue Nov 23rd 2021, recording: https://youtu.be/Cgrn2hubHSE
- Otto Laske , in dialogue with Graham Boyd, Rainer von Leoprechting, Nick Shannon, Jan de Visch, Alan Snow and Michael Basseches: "CDF: A Social-Science Framework For Understanding Human Agency"; Video: https://youtu.be/7gZSrQXXZgM
- Daniel Goertz , Is vertical stage development real, BS, both, or neither? Mon 10th January 2022: video: https://youtu.be/jAFJlglaBeo
- Kristian Stalne , Stefanie Greca : IDGs - InnerDevelopmentGoals : How can we develop as adults to better address complex challenges?
Mon Jan 31st 2022; recording: https://youtu.be/iFfG-Bwj5qM - Roman Angerer , T ranscendental Pluralism and Dialectics; Wed 16th Feb 2022; recording: https://youtu.be/rzqbsH_xTOM , slides
- Lisa Norton , "Uncertainment" : April 19th 2022; recording: https://youtu.be/K4YxjN4ZgUs
- Carole Griggs , Ted Strauss , "iConscious: Accelerating Human Potential" , see also https://iconscious.global/ ; Thu 19th May 2022; recording: https://youtu.be/u0p8HsJ6XjI
- Rainer von Leoprechting, Sepp Kirchengast ( Fraendi / CADRA Project ): Storymatcher - Discovering Vertical Development in and through stories (including a demonstration of the StoryMatcher platform [ access here ]); Tue 14th June 2022, https://youtu.be/UOBvkatxFas
- Jan De Visch, (R)evolutionize Leadership Development and Performance Management, Sept. 27, 2022; recording: https://youtu.be/2n4Cl4cgNI8
- Norman Wolfe , The Living Organization: Integrating People Development and Business Results, Oct 25, 2022; recording: https://youtu.be/wBYkUcJ_7QI
- Jen Rice , Neurodiversity, Complexity and Adult Development: A generative dialogue, Nov 29, 2022; recording: https://youtu.be/hnb3AMZ3xzk
- Bernhard Possert , Non-hierarchical Perspectives of Adult Development; recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atdh5cM3A0k&t=222s
- Series - Scaffoling Meta-Systemic / Dialectical Thinking
- 1) John Stewart , Oct 6th: https://youtu.be/Ox3eacV4ORo
- see here the 11min preparatory video, a condensed version of a 1 hour interview: https://youtu.be/obVxP68sVpo
- John's review of Otto Laske's Primer on Dialectical thinking. The 8 page review succinctly addresses many of the issues that are mentioned in the video and that will be discussed in the Salon: https://www.evolutionarymanifesto.com/ReviewofPrimer.pdf
- An 8-page report by Mark Roddam of his experience of undertaking a program designed to scaffold metasystemic/dialectical thinking. This program contained the two key sets of practices that are arguably essential to scaffold metasystemic cognition effectively:
- (1) practices that dis-embed the practitioner from analytical/rational thinking, and enable the practitioner to see his/her thinking as object; and
- (2) practices in which the practitioner uses the quadrants of dialectical thinking and associated thought forms to develop complex mental models from first principles and to recursively improve them: https://www.evolutionarymanifesto.com/ProgramReport.pdf
- Background about John Stewart and links to his evolutionary science publications and other materials: https://www.evolutionarymanifesto.com/about.html
- 2) Otto Laske , Oct 21st: https://youtu.be/oxRRkfbg0DU
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- the slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s7C96VX9nZv1ePvQRbQOilGPBp9jlore/view?usp=sharing
- see here the 10min preparatory video, a condensed version of a 1 hour interview: https://youtu.be/vAcHCJ9bHNE https://youtu.be/vAcHCJ9bHNE
- Otto Laske's website - IDM - www.interdevelopmentals.org
- Material Otto shared as a warm up: The Osaka Interviews
- Trailer for the upcoming film about Otto Laske (mid-Nov 2023) - Forging a Life
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- 4) Sat Nov 11: John Stewart , Otto Laske and more in dialogue: https://youtu.be/xjK7WpVGRg8
- 5) Sat Dec 9th: Bernhard Possert sharing AI-powered Dialectical Sparring Partners, with critical feedback from John Stewart ; https://youtu.be/nRZZkrQvnTo
- 1) John Stewart , Oct 6th: https://youtu.be/Ox3eacV4ORo
- Otto Laske, a Celebration: Book and Documentary launch; Dec 21st: https://youtu.be/m073wg8uvJ4
- Anssi Balk : “Applying Modern Learning Design Principles to Constructive Developmental Theory”; Wed Feb 7th
- Nick Shannon : Preview of the Handbook of Dialectical Thinking; youtube; Thu March 14th; https://youtu.be/9-iuVPTMAQY
- Dr. Alis Anagnostakis : The Contrasting Emotions Space Theory of Vertical Development: A Lived Experience, April 13th 2024; https://youtu.be/OjHvHayOhWg
- Michael Mascolo : Dialectical Thinking is the Antidote to (Political) Dogma; May 7th 2024, https://youtu.be/cc--22mmpwA
- Michael Basseches : Possible New Directions for Research on Dialectical Thinking as a Psychological Phenomenon: The Importance of Longitudinal Research Complementing Applied Research; June 3rd 2024; recording: https://youtu.be/NTndI9v9keU
- Igor and Olga Shiyan: The Positional Method. Teaching Dialectical Thinking; July 3rd 2024; https://youtu.be/6y5-FiV9yAs
- Otto Laske with Ursula Clidiere : Constructive Development Framework - Its Application in the Helping Professions. October 9th 2024; https://youtu.be/BDsDp1lqH_8
- Anastasia Belolutskaya : The Engine of Creativity: how dialectical structures can help to solve «open start» problems . November 11th 2024; https://youtu.be/CDTaThee4Xg
- Bruno Frischherz: Applied Dialectics in Ethical Dialogues. December 19th 2024: https://youtu.be/tIo4svKtJvw?si=bh2vrnsOxbZBhWEB
- Jeff Shraeder: Getting to Job 2: Applying CDF in Organizations. February 6th 2025: https://youtu.be/q9qgu35ssJU, slides
- Nick Shannon: Using dialectical thinking to resolve organizational paradoxes: https://youtu.be/uWmrh1qdhw4?si=DT8_Ws5lNluywZuU
- Harry Procter: Family systems therapy and dialectical thinking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v-YVHJpB6o
- Roman Angerer: Seeing Through Patterns: Case Studies on fostering Dialectical Thinking through the lens of Transcendental Pluralism: https://youtu.be/ICqcCDOKAzk
- Michaela Swales: Dialectical Philosophy in Action: Using dialectics to treat suicidality: https://youtu.be/OT-xsf6Sw9M
- Danila Medvedev: Beyond Dialectical Thinking: An Integrated Toolkit to Upgrade Human Cognition and Outthink AI: https://youtu.be/_VcrVUgy5FY?si=Qz7m5yu-Ip4Gl6OY
Get the newsletter: join here https://mailchi.mp/4309ab776dba/cad-newsletter or send an email to
The Reading list - please recommend more : https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/68149330?shelf=cad-center-for-applied-dialectics
Our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cad-centerforapplieddialec9451
The current expert practitioners holding the platform:
- Weavers:
- Bernhard Possert, Austria, Possert KG, www.possert.at , MindOpening Dialogue: handling challenges, growing your mind - www.mindopeners.net
- Nick Shannon, UK, https://metathinking.org/ , see the book of Nick and Bruno Frischherz , link to ESRAD , the European Society for Research in Adult Development
- Support:
- Iva Vurdelja, USA, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivavurdelja , (link to dissertation )
- Rainer von Leoprechting, Austria, Frændi, www.fraendi.org , accompanying leadership teams to make the best of the transitions of our times
Some of the people at least loosely connected with CAD and their resources (in progress):
- Anagnostakis, Alis / alisanagnostakis.com , verticaldevelopmentinstitute.com
- Angerer, Roman / https://www.roman-angerer.de
- Balk, Anssi / metataito.fi , ekolammox.fi
- Bakare, Adetayo
- Basseches, Michael / Suffolk University / Book: Dialectical Thinking and Adult Development
- Anastasia Belolutskaya
- Berberich, Hendrik / https://hendrikberberich.com
- Boyd, Graham / Evolutesix / Books: Rebuild: The Economy, Leadership, and You (with Jack Reardon), The Ergodic Investor and Entrepreneur (with Jack Reardon)
- Cauwelier, James / https://developmentalist.substack.com
- Clidiere, Ursula
- de Visch, Jan / https://connecttransform.be / Books: Practices of Dynamic Collaboration: A Dialogical Approach to Strengthening Collaborative Intelligence in Teams (together with Otto Laske), The Vertical Dimension – Blueprint to Align Business and Organizational Development , Leadership: Mind(s) Creating Value(s) , Dynamic Collaboration: Strengthening Self-Organization and Collaborative Intelligence in Teams , Dynamic Collaboration Playbook , Re-Thinking Game
- Frischherz, Bruno / https://www.didanet.ch / Book: Metathinking (together with Nick Shannon)
- Fröhlich, Caspar , froehlich-coaching.ch , lifemission.ch
- Goertz, Daniel / https://metamoderna.org / Books: The Listening Society: A Metamodern Guide to Politics , Nordic Ideology: A Metamodern Guide to Politics
- Griggs, Carole / https://drcarolegriggs.com / Book: iConscious: Accelerating Human Potential (with Ted Strauss)
- Hurley, Padraic / https://www.wit.ie/about_wit/contact_us/staff_directory/padraic-hurley
- Jordan, Thomas / thomasjordan.se , blog.perspectus.se
- Laske, Otto / Interdevelopmental Institute / Books: Dialectical Thinking for Integral Leaders: A PrimerBooks: Dialectical Thinking for Integral Leaders: A Primer , Measuring Hidden Dimensions of Human Systems - Foundations of Requisite Organizations , Measuring Hidden Dimensions: The Art and Science of Fully Engaging Adults , Advanced Systems-Level Problem Solving, Volume 1: Approaching Real-World Complexity with Dialectical Thinking , Advanced Systems-Level Problem Solving, Volume 2: How to Measure and Boost Thought Maturity , Advanced Systems-Level Problem Solving, Volume 3: Manual of Dialectical Thought Forms , Practices of Dynamic Collaboration: A Dialogical Approach to Strengthening Collaborative Intelligence in Teams (together with Jan de Visch); Film: "Forging a Life" about Otto: http://vimeo.com/884507807; Password: Otto
- Pór, George
- Possert, Bernhard / mindopening.net , newgoodlife.net , possert.at
- Reams, Jonathan / integral-review.org / Book: Maturing Leadership: How Adult Development Impacts Leadership
- Redmer, Mike / https://www.redmerconsulting.com /
- Schulz, Ariane
- Shannon Nick / https://metathinking.org / Book: Metathinking (together with Bruno Frischherz)
- Shraeder Jeffrey / Circles of Clarity
- Snow, Alan / https://instituteofcoaching.org/users/alan-snow
- Stålne, Kristian / https://complexitet.se
- Stewart, John / https://www.evolutionarymanifesto.com / https://humansuperintelligencebook.com / Books: Evolution's Arrow: the direction of evolution and the future of humanity; Human superintelligence (free download!)
- Strauss, Ted / https://tedstrauss.com / Book: iConscious: Accelerating Human Potential (with Carole Griggs)
- Thoms, Jackie / Fraendi
- van Snyder, Nathan / https://nathanvansnyder.com
- Vessey, Mike / https://mdvconsulting.co
- by Leoprechting, Rainer / Fraendi
- Vurdelja, Iva / Requisite Development / How Leaders Think: Measuring Cognitive Complexity in Leading Organizational Change (Dissertation)
- Wilding, Victoria / https://www.victoriawilding.com , highermindinitiative.com
CAD - Otto Laske / interdevelopmentals.org
- Otto Laske's Interdevelopmental Institute: www.interdevelopmentals.org
- The Film "Forging a Life" about Otto:
- The Trailer: https://vimeo.com/867119514
- The full video: http://vimeo.com/884507807; Password: Otto
The setup of CAD is financially supported by the EU, as it is part of the CADRA project - Cognitive Adult Development, from Research to Application - see https://fraendi.org/cadra/
