# Four Quadrant Analysis By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2022-11-16 There are many ways to view a problem that often oppose each other. Do you believe in individual choices and accountability or creating rules to ensure systemic equity? Do you believe in a higher power or that this is delusional? Do you believe organizations behave according to market forces or that individuals cause behaviors and outcomes? Each perspective is valid to the believer and invalid to the nonbeliever. They represent many of the divisions and discontinuities we see in the world of thoughts that manifest themselves into the reality we live. As an analyst, it is valuable to understand and codify these perspectives as it enables one to be dynamic in self-reflection and external application of the analytical trade. The [Integral Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integral_theory_(Ken_Wilber)) created by [[Ken Wilber]] is one way to understand knowledge and how people view the world. In this model, Wilbur divides knowledge along two axes: Internal vs. External and Individual vs. Collective. This creates four unique quadrants that can be summarized as I, Me, We, and Its. The I quadrant comprises the internal and individual viewpoints found in religions, stoicism, and self-accountability. The Me quadrant comprises the external and individual views. Here everything about the individual is explained via scientific principles. For example, negative feelings are the chemical and physiological responses of external forces, and people are bad at statistics because our brains evolved in social ways and not logical ways. The We quadrant comprises the internal and collective viewpoints. Here our thoughts are controlled by the language of the people around us and we act the way we do because of the culture we find ourselves in [[together]]. Finally, the Its quadrant comprises the external and collective viewpoints where we examine a system from the outside. Here is where issues related to global warming and communism live, and systems are classified in regularly reoccurring patterns. While all models are wrong, this model is useful in the analysis world. Often people and ideas are firmly stuck in one of the four quadrants. Analysts are no exception here. However, knowing this allows us to see the world differently and may make all the difference in making progress. It also permits us to have conflicting views and opinions that are perfectly allowable despite the inherent paradox. As analysts, we should thoroughly understand and explore the theories, methods, and beliefs of each of these quadrants and add them to our toolbox. Using the right tool for the right job is often the most efficient way forward. #### Related Items [[Thinking]] [[Paradigms]] [[Paradox]] [[Analytics]] [[World Views]]