Sean Esbjörn-Hargens

Sean Esbjörn-Hargens

Sean Esbjörn-Hargens, Ph.D. is one of the world’s leading experts on Integral Theory and its application. Building on the vision of American philosopher Ken Wilber, he has played a significant role in creating the academic field of Integral Theory.

Before founding MetaIntegral, Sean served as chair of the Department of Integral Theory and director of the Integral Research Center at John F. Kennedy University. He is founder and executive editor of The Journal of Integral Theory and Practice (JITP), co-founder/co-organizer of the biennial Integral Theory Conference, and editor of the SUNY Press book series in Integral Theory. A leading scholar-practitioner in integral studies, Sean and has published extensively in numerous academic journals, applying the integral model to a wide range of topics, including research, education, ecology, sustainable development, the science and religion debate, and consciousness studies.

He is co-author of Integral Ecology (Integral Books, 2009) and editor of Integral Theory in Action (SUNY, 2010) and Integral Education (SUNY, 2010). Sean lives with his wife and two daughters on five acres of Redwoods in Sebastopol, California.

Grappling with the Metacrisis

Grappling with the Metacrisis

Sean Esbjörn-Hargens   May 1, 2023  
In this dialogue, the world of metatheories comes alive with urgent, purposeful meaning, because as Sean and Nick point out, integrative metatheories like Ken Wilber’s integral theory and Roy Bhaskar’s critical realism are the only tools that provide a useful framework for us to talk about and confront the vast web of interrelated and wicked problems we face on every level at this time.
Integral Ecology: A Post-Metaphysical Approach to Environmental Phenomena

Integral Ecology: A Post-Metaphysical Approach to Environmental Phenomena

Sean Esbjörn-Hargens   September 12, 2020  
Integral Theory provides a distinct and participatory approach to Ecology. This article introduces Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory, distinguishes the Integral approach from other methods, and applies some key concepts to Ecology. The ontology, epistemology, and methodology of environmental phenomena are examined in light of Wilber’s framework and the framework is applied to multidimensional examples of recycling. Finally, an Integral Ecology platform is presented.
Integral Ecology: An Ecology of Perspectives

Integral Ecology: An Ecology of Perspectives

Sean Esbjörn-Hargens   September 12, 2020  
There are many competing approaches available for responding to environmental problems and dealing with ecological issues. This article provides an introduction to Integral Ecology, an approach that takes the valuable insights from all the major schools of ecological thought and unites them in a comprehensive framework. First, the difficulty of defining “ecology” is explored. Next, the twenty-five major approaches to ecology are introduced. Finally, Integral Ecology is defined in such a way that it honors the importance of all these approaches.
An Integral Tour of Consciousness Studies

An Integral Tour of Consciousness Studies

Sean Esbjörn-Hargens   September 12, 2020  
Consciousness is not only found in the Upper-Left quadrant in Integral Theory, which concerns itself with individual subjectivity and experience; rather consciousness is located in each of the four quadrants. This short essay examines how consciousness reveals itself and is studied in each of the four quadrants within Integral Theory.
Consciousness as Embodied, Embedded, Enmeshed

Consciousness as Embodied, Embedded, Enmeshed

Sean Esbjörn-Hargens   September 12, 2020  
Consciousness is all too often understood purely in subjective terms. An Integral approach recognizes that subjectivity is only one of four dimensions to consciousness. This article proposes that consciousness (subjectivity) cannot be understood independent of its co-arising with bodies (objectivity), cultures (intersubjectivity), and systems (interobjectivity).
Taking Aliens Seriously

Taking Aliens Seriously

Sean Esbjörn-Hargens   February 21, 2019  
Is there intelligent life beyond Earth? Is it possible that alien beings have already contacted us? What do we make of the thousands of testimonials of human-alien contact, including from scientists, diplomats and astronauts? Yet… where’s the proof? And if there is proof, why is alien contact not the biggest story of the millennia?
Integral Ecology: Uniting Multiple Perspectives on the Natural World

Integral Ecology: Uniting Multiple Perspectives on the Natural World

Sean Esbjörn-Hargens   March 25, 2009  
Sean Esbjorn-Hargens and Ken Wilber take an in-depth look at the book Integral Ecology: Uniting Multiple Perspectives on the Natural World (recently published by Integral Books) which identifies and situates over 200 different schools of ecology .