11 - Metaframing: from difference to higher sameness

Summary

This chapter explores the transformative potential of metaframing in bridging divergent perspectives to foster a shared understanding and collaboration across various domains. The chapter delves into metaframing as a higher-order process that transcends traditional boundaries, whether disciplinary, ideological, or cultural, to uni commonalities and synergies that might not be apparent at first glance. Illustrating examples from science, religion, and interdisciplinary fields demonstrates how metaframing can lead to innovative collaborations and novel insights, particularly in addressing complex global challenges like climate change and public health. This process, as highlighted through initiatives that combine scientific inquiry with religious and moral frameworks, emphasizes the mutual enrichment that can arise from such engagements. The chapter argues for the necessity of metaframing in today’s increasingly interconnected and complex world, where the capacity to integrate diverse viewpoints and knowledge systems is crucial for generating comprehensive solutions and fostering a more inclusive and understanding global community. Through a critical examination of metaframing practices, the chapter advocates for a deliberate and respectful approach to engaging with difference, suggesting that the path to collective progress and ethical action lies in our ability to construct and navigate these higher-order frames.