Dr. Clare W. Graves

Research to date suggests nine definable and describable levels of human existence. The nine hypothesized levels and certain associated sub-systems are presented in Exhibit I. At the left is listed the large determining dynamic system. The second column lists the nature of existence at the dynamic level, the third lists the associated motivational sub system, a la Maslow, and the fourth and fifth columns present, respectively, the hypothesized ethical systems and control sub systems. (See Exhibit I)

EXHIBIT I

Hypothesized Levels of Human Existence, Existential State
and Three Sub-systems

Levels of Human Existence	Nature of Existence	Motivational* System	Ethical Systems	Managerial Control System
Being	Actualizing	Self Actualization	Humanistic	Infinite
Fourth Existence	Appreciating	Beauty	Aweing	Conservationistic
Third Existence	Comprehending	Understanding	Compassionate	Apprehending
Second Existence	Seeking	Information	Cognitive	Integrative
First Existence	Individualistic	Esteem of Self	Personalistic	Responsive
Fourth Subsistence	Sociocentric	Belonging	Sociocratic	Participative
Third Subsistence	Omnipotent	Mastery	Power	Directive
Second Subsistence	Frightened	Safety	Constructive	Predestinative
First Subsistence	Animalistic	Physiological	Survivalistic	Nurturant

* NOTE that the subsistence levels refers to deficit or deficiency motivation while the existence levels refer to growth or abundancy motivation.

Time will not permit us to examine all levels nor can they be related to more than a few organizational problems, but the following depiction of the first four levels should enable you to see how one would think of values and organizational problems within this conception of man.

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