Integral possibilism: A tool for critical realism and necessity for an integral community

Integral Possibilism is herein presented as an alternative to the maxim that "everyone is right about something." While in some situations everyone being right about something may be a resourceful way to begin dialogue or take a new perspective, in others it can feed relativism, and even what is best called quackery. Drawing on the Freethought Movement of the 19th century, Integral Possibilism is a cognitive reframe calling for more discernment before we seek out what someone is right about and more critical thinking when someone is clearly wrong. Integral Possibilism also acknowledges our evolutionary legacy of brains that have an inherent "belief engine" that has evolved over millions of years. This legacy includes a tendency to seek patterns and anthropomorphize intention. Because we are prone to belief, critical thinking is even more important. © Integral Institute, 2013.