Abstract for Thesis/Theory: The Four Phases of Being-IQ₃

The theory grounding this study, conceptualized as the Liquid Thinking (LT) educational model, features the Four Phases of readiness for utilizing the metacognitive strategy Being Metaphor. The Four Phases of Being identify a process movement for the Teach-Ability of children and the Change-Ability in adults by extending existing educational models and conceptualizations of human potential in three ways: 1) holding in bisociation what is seemingly opposite; 2) addressing spirituality as the limit of human potential; 3) highlighting the function of the shadow of human potential as a powerful force behind this “tendency toward wholeness” to identify the core of human potential: human integrity. The LT educational model –the learning, leads to the spiritual model Love Transforms Me (LTM) –the living: LTM refers to the dynamic transformation of the person spiritually alive and maturing in the Spirit. The Four Phases of Being constitute the preparedness, the ‘learning for the living’ as an embodied spirit in communion –Being Holy!

This new theory on The Phenomenon of Abundance identifies Human Potential and Its Shadow: The Spiritual Maturity of the human being and Thwarted Potential for Being Holy identified as Immature Love at its weakest capacity and Amoral Intelligence at its most harmful capability.  The metacognitive strategy, developed From Attribute Listing to Analogy to Being Metaphor, is examined in practice as the building up of the good, the true and the beautiful with virtues while its counterpart, Being Metaphor Shadow, works not to enhance potential but to its disadvantage: the Thwarting of Human Potential through the Destructive Habitual Behaviours (DHBs) of vices displacing the Constructive Habitual Behaviours (CHBs) of the virtues. Other strategies are presented to develop potential, and to transform the human shadow.