Global Implication of theIndigenous Epistemological

System from the East:How to Apply Yin-Yang Balancing

to Paradox Management

Peter Ping LiXian Jiaotong-Liverpool University, ChinaCopenhagen Business School, Denmark

李平 Peter Ping Li加州州立大学商学院管理系终身正教授

Western Flight fromAmbiguity & All Ambi-Related

Two Traps in Science:1. Trained Incapability to Identify

Ambiguity (Ambi-Related)2. Trained Inability to Take FullAdvantage of Good Potential of

Ambiguity (Ambi-Related)

Paradox as Centralto ManagementFive Approaches to

Paradox Management1. Neither/nor [naïve]2. Both/and [naïve]

3. Either/or [Aristotle]4. Both/or [Hegel]

5. Either/and [Yin-Yang]

Three Core Logic Systems1. Either/Or Logic

[No Overlap: Black or White]

2. Both/Or [Both/AND] Logic [Full Overlap: Only Gray]

3. Either/And Logic [Overlap + Separate: Black + Gray + White]

A 

- A + A*

Western Approach:Full Separation &Full Integration

Eastern Approach:[Yin-Yang Balancing]Partially Separating &Partially Integrating

1. Root Elements (All): Black & White [as Opposite Elements]

2. Micro-Level Structure (Within Half): Seed of the Opposite inside Each Domain

Seed as the Base for Gray AreaGray as Overlapping Area

Gray as ModeratesGray Area Bridges Two Extreme Groups

3. Meso-Level Structure (Half): One Extreme Group + One Moderate Group

4. Macro-Level Structure (Whole):Two Extreme Groups + Two Moderate Groups

US PoliticsElites Increasingly Polarized

More Conservative ExtremistsMore Liberal Extremists [Separate]

Masses Remaining ModerateConservative Moderates

Liberal Moderates [Overlap]Dynamic Pattern of Pendulum SwingsEnabled by Moderates on Both SidesWisdom of Stable-Dynamic Duality

Comparison with Both/And 1 Both Against Either/Or Logic

Both for Balance Yin-Yang for Positive + Negative

Yin-Yang with Seeds for OverlapModerate as Overlap for SynergyAlso Tension between Opposites

Healthy Tension (Within Threshold)Partial Overlap for Partial SynergyPartial Split for Partial Tradeoff

Yin-Yang Duality Map  Good Balance for Dual Goals

(Cost + Value for Good Value/Price Ratio)

Healthy Tension

 

Good Low-Cost Practices(Low-Cost Elements + Overlap as Mix) (Overlap Bigger or Smaller than Separate)

Good High-Value Practices(High-Value Elements + Overlap as Mix)

(Overlap Bigger or Smaller than Separate)

Low-Cost Orientation High-Value Orientation(Low-Cost + Overlap)[Primarily Horizontal

Correction]

  (High-Value + Overlap)[Primarily Horizontal

Correction]

(Most or Rare Low-Cost Practices as Imbalance)(Too Big or Too Small Overlap as Imbalance)Bad Low-Cost Practices

 

(Most or Rare High-Value Practices as Imbalance)

(Too Big or Too Small Overlap as Imbalance)Bad High-Value Practices

  Little/Unhealthy Tension(Cost Only or Value Only with

Bad Value/Price Ratio)Bad Balance for Any Goal

 

Comparison with Both/And 2 Three Yin-Yang Operating Mechanisms:

1. Asymmetrical Balancing[One Side as Dominant for One Goal:

Never 50/50 Mix; Never 100/0 Mix]2. Transitional Balancing

[Mutual Switch beyond Threshold]3. Curvilinear Balancing

[Too Much or Little beyond Threshold]Majority “Rules”; Moderates as BridgesWisdom of Threshold: 80/20%—60/40%

Min Yin or Yang in Asymmetrical BalancingMax Yin or Yang in Asymmetrical Balancing

Step 1 as the Starting PointStep 4 as the Turning Point from Threshold

Step 7 as the Ending PointStep 2 as Min Yin or Yang within ThresholdStep 3 as Max Yin or Yang within Threshold

Comparison with Both/And 3 2 Dimensions: Tension & HarmonyTension Pulls Away But Also Back

Harmony Pushes Back But Also AwayTension Cancels Opposite Forces

[Tug of War]Tension Brings Moderates Back AgainHarmony Triggers Moderates to Switch

Harmony Grows Moderates Too Big[Ambivalence Drives Extremists Crazy]

Evidence for Yin-Yang Balancing

Exploration: 10% for Breakthrough [70%]Overlap: 20% for Adjacent Expansion [20%]

Exploitation: 70% for Refinement [10%]Time Spent on Imagined Task: 10-20%Time Spent on Task on Hand: 80-90%[New Option: 20% for Adjacent Task]

Extreme Group Either/Or LogicModerate Group Both/And Logic

All Groups Either/And Logic

ConclusionYin-Yang is the Only Approach

To Appreciating ParadoxYin-Yang is the Best for

Paradox ManagementTwo keys: Seed for Gray

Area as Micro-Level StructureThreshold for Meso-Level &

Macro-Level Structures