Abstract

Integral Theory (IT) has become a framework, widely discussed and applied, which uses diverse kinds of claims, belonging to different fields of discourse: physical, biological, social, cultural, personal, or metaphysical. Because of that inherent complexity, IT received also many criticisms. The need to count with a coherent integral meta-theory of human evolution and development makes convenient the proposal of redefining the IT as a Basic Integral Theory (Basic IT). The asset of this Basic IT—here defined and developed—is to count with a better characterization of the second tier of consciousness, having the potentiality to arrive at it from different metaphysical views, characterizing the thinking skills needed, and as a point of encounter. On the other hand, the Basic IT presented does not interfere in the third tier of consciousness, which is better reached from each metaphysical tradition. Once characterized by Basic IT, this rationale can be applied to develop Integral Arts, among them Integral Education.

Keywords: Basic Integral Theory (Basic IT), Holistic education, Integral education