Accepted for presentation at ISSS 2025:
Dialectical Wheels (DW) is a general-purpose framework for systems optimization grounded in dialectical reasoning and circular causation. It addresses a critical gap in systems thinking by modeling long-range complementarities that transcend direct causality—analogous to resonance in chemistry, entanglement in physics, and synchronicity in psychology.
Each concept (T) is paired with its antithesis (A), such that the positive aspects of one directly oppose the negative aspects of the other. These opposites are positioned at the furthest points within feedback loops, generating semantic tension and centripetal coherence that fosters delayed, adaptive responses to local perturbations.
The framework operates at multiple levels:
- Micro level: each polarity forms a four-step loop (T → Action → A → Reflection), revealing hidden risks and ethical trade-offs.
- Meso level: opposing systems unfold as transformation sequences, gradually converting polarized positions into higher-order synthesis.
- Macro level: complex systems are expanded into multiple eight-phase dialectical paths, each tested for feasibility using generative AI. The number of viable sequences serves as a proxy for systemic foresight and self-regulatory capacity.
DW has been applied across diverse domains:
- Economic cycles: identified adaptive leverage points and institutional blind spots
- Mechanical systems: mapped timing dynamics and diagnosed design inefficiencies
- Conflict resolution: enabled stepwise synthesis between polarized positions
- Structured Dialogic Design (SDD): converted stakeholder input into integrated action plans
The framework exposes dialectical blind spots—neglected oppositional domains—and reveals hidden leverage points, offering more adaptive alternatives to linear control.
DW also extends into ethical modeling, enabling the assessment of fairness, bias, and systemic coherence.
- Fairness: balanced attention to all dialectical poles;
- Bias: disproportionate emphasis on one pole
At its core is the principle that all systemic failures stem from exaggeration—the pursuit of positive goals (e.g., efficiency, happiness, innovation) while neglecting the constructive aspects of their opposites (e.g., patience, humility, constraint). These imbalances create blind spots and feedback distortions that destabilize systems – and that can be measured using the Constructivity parameter. It opposes utilitarianism, which tends to suppress or average out systemic tensions, in pursuit of maximization rather than harmonization.
In the context of AI, Dialectical Wheels (DW) functions as an augmented intelligence interface targeting the multi-billion-dollar decision-making market in business and governance. It enables a “spiritual economy” where coherence becomes quantifiable. Just as blockchain enabled decentralized finance, DIAL (Dialectical Token) creates a new asset class where validated insight is the unit of value.
This vision is realized through a Wisdom Mining protocol, which transforms complex dilemmas into validated DWs via collaboration among Seekers, Synthesists, Validators, and Specialists. Roles are coordinated and incentivized through a native token economy, with contributors earning dividends whenever their DWs are accessed or applied. Validation follows a strict protocol of semantic constraints and control statements. Each DW becomes a wisdom gem—a verifiable knowledge unit—stored in Indra-Net, a semantic graph for decision-making and AI training.
DIAL scaffolds collaborative intelligence, helping organizations move beyond binary choices toward integrative “both–and” strategies. It offers a scalable alternative to majority voting—transforming deliberation from competition into value-generating synthesis.
Supplementary Material: