Part 3 of 6: Beyond Binary Thinking—How Metamodernism Shapes SYNPRAXIS
Part 3 of 6: Beyond Binary Thinking—How Metamodernism Shapes SYNPRAXIS
At the core of SYNPRAXIS lies a crucial concept: Metamodernism. In a world that often feels polarized and fragmented, Metamodernism offers a way to transcend binary thinking and embrace a more flexible, integrative approach. It encourages us to oscillate between seemingly contradictory ideas—modern and postmodern, irony and sincerity, complexity and simplicity—without needing to collapse them into a singular truth. In this part of the series, we’ll explore how Metamodernism shapes SYNPRAXIS and how this ‘both/and’ mindset helps us navigate complexity in our personal lives and larger systems.
What is Metamodernism?
Metamodernism is a cultural and philosophical movement that emerged as a response to the limitations of both modernism and postmodernism. While modernism was characterized by a belief in progress, rationality, and absolute truths, postmodernism introduced skepticism, irony, and the deconstruction of grand narratives. However, postmodernism often leaves us in a state of ambiguity, where meaning is endlessly deconstructed, but no clear path forward emerges.
Metamodernism bridges these two paradigms. It acknowledges the depth and complexity of postmodern skepticism while also recognizing the value in sincerity, hope, and progress. It embraces both irony and earnestness, allowing us to hold multiple perspectives at once. Rather than choosing one side or the other, Metamodernism oscillates between them, offering a dynamic, fluid way to engage with the world.
The 'Both/And' Mindset in SYNPRAXIS
Metamodernism’s emphasis on embracing contradictions is at the heart of SYNPRAXIS. Instead of reducing complex issues to simple binaries—right or wrong, good or bad—SYNPRAXIS encourages us to adopt a ‘both/and’ mindset. This means recognizing that multiple truths can coexist, even if they seem contradictory on the surface.
In our personal lives, we often experience conflicting emotions, desires, and beliefs. Metamodernism teaches us that it’s okay to hold these contradictions without rushing to resolve them. For example, we can feel both confident and insecure at the same time, or we can be deeply critical of society while still believing in the potential for positive change. In SYNPRAXIS, this ‘both/and’ thinking helps us integrate diverse aspects of our identity, fostering deeper self-awareness and personal growth. By accepting the complexity of our internal world, we can move beyond rigid labels and embrace the fluidity of who we are becoming.
Navigating Complexity in Systems and Society
Just as Metamodernism applies to personal growth, it also shapes how we approach societal systems and structures. In SYNPRAXIS, we see societal transformation as a dynamic process that requires us to balance opposing forces—stability and change, tradition and innovation, individualism and collectivism.
This ability to hold paradoxes is reflected in SYNPRAXIS’s approach to governance and leadership. Traditional governance models often rely on rigid structures and clear hierarchies, while postmodern approaches can sometimes lead to decentralized systems where decision-making becomes paralyzed by endless debate. Metamodernism offers a way to embrace the strengths of both approaches. It allows us to design governance models that are both structured and flexible, ensuring that systems can evolve while maintaining coherence.
Embracing Paradoxes in Governance and Leadership
In SYNPRAXIS’s approach to governance, decision-making happens through a collaborative process where multiple perspectives are considered. This aligns with the Metamodern idea that no single perspective holds the entire truth and that collective wisdom emerges from the interplay of diverse viewpoints. By synthesizing different approaches, we create governance systems that are resilient, adaptive, and able to hold space for complexity.
Social Change Through a Metamodern Lens
Social movements often operate within binary frameworks—us vs. them, right vs. wrong. Metamodernism, however, encourages us to hold space for nuance. It teaches us that real social change requires both idealism and pragmatism. We can strive for a better world while acknowledging the messiness and contradictions inherent in human societies.
SYNPRAXIS applies this Metamodern perspective to social change by promoting regenerative systems that adapt and evolve, rather than seeking a single, permanent solution. It invites us to engage in ongoing experimentation, learning, and adaptation as we build more inclusive, sustainable systems.
Navigating Conflicts and Embracing Tensions
When it comes to resolving conflicts, the Metamodern influence in SYNPRAXIS encourages us to embrace the paradoxes that arise during disagreements. Rather than insisting on a singular “truth,” we explore how multiple sides might hold valid perspectives. This approach fosters deeper understanding and collaboration, enabling us to build bridges instead of reinforcing divisions.
Practical Applications of Metamodernism in SYNPRAXIS
So, how does this ‘both/and’ mindset show up in practice? Here are a few ways SYNPRAXIS uses Metamodernism to address complexity in real-world situations:
Leadership and Decision-Making: Leaders using SYNPRAXIS are encouraged to adopt a Metamodern approach to decision-making, balancing structure with fluidity. This means creating clear processes while allowing for flexibility and adaptation based on emerging needs.
Conflict Resolution: In personal relationships and communities, SYNPRAXIS encourages us to embrace the paradoxes that arise during conflicts. Rather than insisting on a singular “truth,” we can explore how both sides might hold valid perspectives. This approach fosters deeper understanding and collaboration.
Personal Growth: Metamodernism reminds us that personal growth is not linear. SYNPRAXIS applies this by helping individuals accept the contradictions in their journey—acknowledging both progress and setbacks, strength and vulnerability, without needing to fit into a fixed narrative of success.
Conclusion: Embracing Complexity with Metamodernism
Metamodernism provides the philosophical foundation for SYNPRAXIS’s flexible, integrative approach to personal and societal transformation. By embracing both irony and sincerity, modern and postmodern, SYNPRAXIS helps us navigate the complexities of the 21st century with depth and adaptability. It teaches us that transformation doesn’t come from choosing one side or the other but from holding space for multiple truths and learning to navigate the tensions between them.
In Part 4, we’ll dive into how cognitive diversity plays a crucial role in SYNPRAXIS and why honoring different ways of thinking is essential for building inclusive systems. Stay tuned for the next step on our journey through SYNPRAXIS.
Further Reading:
Hanzi Freinacht, "The Listening Society" – A key text on Metamodernism, exploring how we can navigate complexity through a 'both/and' mindset.
Jonathan Rowson, "Tapestry Thinking: Beyond Dualism" – An article exploring how Metamodernism helps us move beyond binary, either/or thinking.
Timotheus Vermeulen & Robin van den Akker, "Notes on Metamodernism" – A scholarly paper on the cultural theory of Metamodernism.