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| '''Co-intelligence''' is a term coined by social theorist [[Tom Atlee]] to refer to a shared, integrated form of [[intelligence (trait)|intelligence]]. The concept of co-intelligence is an evolving one, attempting to embrace all forms of intelligence that arise out of and/or serve wholeness, (inclusiveness, [[interconnectedness]], co-creativity, [[health]], [[synergy]], self-organizing living systems, etc.). It is not an entirely new concept, however. Synergy in groups ("synergistics") has been observed and written about since the 1970s. Some cultures (e.g. [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]]/[[First Nations]] peoples such as the [[Iroquois|Haudenosaunee]]) have drawn on similar principles for hundreds of years. | | '''Co-intelligence''' is a term coined by social theorist Tom Atlee to refer to a shared, integrated form of intelligence . The concept of co-intelligence is an evolving one, attempting to embrace all forms of intelligence that arise out of and/or serve wholeness, (inclusiveness, interconnectedness, co-creativity, health, synergy, self-organizing living systems, etc.). Co-intelligence appears as natural human expression of [[synergetics]], where all sides contribute and all sides win the collective output of all contributing. |
| | | [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co-intelligence Wikipedia Entry] |
| Six basic premises of co-intelligence have been identified to date:
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| * Multi-modal intelligence: integration of head intelligence ([[rationality]]), [[Heart Intelligence|heart intelligence]], intuition, and other forms of knowing and engaging successfully with life (e.g., various theories of [[Multiple Intelligences|multiple intelligences]]).
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| * [[Collaborative intelligence]], based on ideas of [[Co-operation|cooperation]].
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| * [[Collective intelligence]], i.e., intelligence of groups, organizations, communities, societies, etc.
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| * [[Wisdom]].
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| * Resonant intelligence, i.e., intelligence which grows stronger or fuller as it [[Resonance|resonates]] with other sources or forms of intelligence.
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| * Universal intelligence, i.e., intelligence that resides within or beyond nature -- from [[ecological wisdom]] to the [[Tao]] and "God's will". Includes concepts like [[Self-organization|self-organization]] and [[Co-evolution|co-evolution]].
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| Co-intelligence theory is grounded in theories of wholeness or [[Holism|holism]], since co-intelligence embraces any form of intelligence that includes and transcends—i.e., is more whole than—individual analytic [[rationality]].
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| [http://www.co-intelligence.org/CI-TheoreticalArticles.html Co-intelligence theory] has been applied to thinking on [[democracy]], [[politics]], [[diversity]], [[polarization]], [[community]], [[leadership]], [[morality]], [[ethics]] and [[spirituality]].
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| ==Group, Organizational, and Political Applications==
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| Perhaps the primary application of the co-intelligence frame of reference is in the field of social theory concerning the potential [[collective intelligence]] and [[wisdom]] of groups, organizations, communities and societies. Under the right conditions, evidence suggests that greater intelligence and wisdom are possible from a group or community than from any individual member of that group or community.
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| Creative use of human differences and conflicts is a major factor in this, if [[groupthink]] and [[polarization]] -- which usually indicate an absence of co-intelligence -- are to be avoided. If differences are treated either as pieces of a larger picture being explored by the group, or as a source of creative tension through which the group can transcend self-limiting assumptions, beliefs and skewed information, they tend to move the group toward broader, deeper, more useful understandings. Competition and conflict can thus be valuable, if carried on in a context of shared exploration towards greater truth.
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| The idea that human differences are resources to access greater insight, creativity and capacity, rather than positions striving for predominance, suggests that [[democracy]] may be best understood and practiced as a dialogic exploration for collective solutions that benefit the [[common good]] and the vast majority of [[stakeholders]]. Traditional democratic values of freedom, initiative, and balancing of [[social power]] become resources for the nurturing, inclusion, and creative use of diversity.
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| Co-intelligent [[activism]] and [[citizenship]], then, focus on engaging citizens and stakeholders in [[dialogues]] and [[deliberations]] designed to generate collective intelligence and wisdom, and advocating the widespread use and institutionalized empowerment of such powerful conversations as a legitimate, inclusive, trustworthy "voice of the people." From the co-intelligence perspective, activist [[nonviolence]] is best used not to force partisan solutions on a reluctant public or power structure, but to equalize power relationships enough that peer dialogue can take place, making it possible to create or discover broadly viable solutions.
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| The free flow, quality, accessibility and evolution of full-spectrum information are among other major factors in political and organizational applications of co-intelligence.
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| Much of co-intelligence political theory rests on extensive theory and practice developed around [[group process]] and [[learning organizations]], centered on advanced forms of [[dialogue]], [[deliberation]], and [[whole system]] interventions as explored, for example, by the [http://www.thataway.org National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation].
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| ==Spiritual and Metaphysical Implications==
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| While most applications of co-intelligence theory require no special spiritual perspectives, their holistic nature has spiritual implications that attract many people involved in holistic spiritual movements, such as the [[New Age]], [[Buddhist]], [[Quaker]] and [[Taoist]] traditions and mystical, evolutionary, or ecological movements within other religious traditions, as well as those interested in [[consciousness]] studies.
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| From a co-intelligence metaphysics, all phenomena interact, co-evolve, define each other, and together call forth whatever is next. This is similar to the Buddhist concept of "interdependent co-arising," as well as ecological understandings and several interpretations of quantum theory. We live in what [[Tom Atlee]] calls "a deeply participatory universe" and [[David Spangler]] calls "a co-incarnational universe." Co-intelligent spiritual awareness, practices, and ethics tend to arise out of and support interconnectedness, inclusiveness, dialogue, co-creativity and partnership -- with each other and with Life.
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| Many co-intelligence-oriented spiritual people ground themselves in the sense of a larger intelligence (see "universal intelligence", above) operating through them and the world around them. Some engage in meditative practices through which they attune to each other and/or this higher intelligence as part of generating or accessing collective intelligence. See, for example, [http://www.wie.org/j25/ the issue of What Is Enlightenment magazine about Collective Intelligence.]
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| ===External links===
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| * [http://www.co-intelligence.org/index.html The Co-Intelligence Institute]
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| * [http://www.kelaassociates.com/co-intelligence.html Fostering Co-Intelligence]
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| [[Category: Sociology]]
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| [[Category: Social psychology]]
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| [[Category:Psychological theories]]
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