Towards an integral metatheory of addiction
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Authors
Du Plessis, Guy Pierre
Issue Date
2014-11
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Integral theory , Addiction , Substance abuse , Substance dependence , Etiological models of addiction , Ontological foundation , Integral Enactment Theory , Integral methodological pluralism , Integral ontological pluralism , Integral epistemological pluralism
Alternative Title
Abstract
Addiction is one of the most significant problems facing contemporary society.
Consequently many scholars, institutions and clinicians have sought to understand this
complex phenomenon, as is evident in the abundance of etiological models of addiction
in existence today. A literature review pointed that there is little consensus regarding the
nature and etiopathogenesis of addiction, and integrative models have not yet been able to
provide the sought-after integration. In addressing this problem, this study offers a
theoretical analysis of the paradigmatic and meta-paradigmatic suitability of Integral
Theory in the design of an integrated metatheory of addiction. The data consisted of the
most prominent etiological theories and models of addiction. The study focused on
several essential features constituting the architectonic of any metatheory that attempts to
provide conceptual scaffolding for the construction of a comprehensive metatheory of
addiction. The criteria for the construction of a metatheory were conceptual integration,
ontological span, ontological depth, empirical validity and internal consistency. Integral
Theory was critically assessed in terms of each of the abovementioned criteria. The study
suggests that Integral Theory is eminently suitable as a philosophical foundation for the
development of an integrated metatheory of addiction.
Description
Citation
Du Plessis, Guy Pierre (2014) Towards an integral metatheory of addiction, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/14490>