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Doing Right: Connectedness Problem Solving and Negotiation

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Handbook of Group Decision and Negotiation

Part of the book series: Advances in Group Decision and Negotiation ((AGDN,volume 4))

Abstract

We discuss individual and multiagent (group) problem solving and negotiation. We consider connectedness, a dynamic subjective relation experience of consciousness involving awareness/qualia experience – as cognition, emotion, social, conation, holistic, etc. We develop Connectedness Problem Solving and Negotiation (CPSN) for doing right meaning defining/solving a validated “right” problem/solution, as discussed in the chapter. The validated solution constitutes right action. CPSN is effected through Evolutionary Systems Design (ESD), a game-theory based, general formal systems-spirituality modeling/design framework for problem solving and negotiation implemented by computer technology. By systems-spirituality here we mean that in systems modeling/design of problem solving/negotiation, an agent can represent an evolving system of purposes and their relations (the ESD evolving problem representation) from the lowest-level action to the highest purpose(s) that could be spiritual. A negotiation agreement requires multiagent agreement on the solution/action to be taken. Agents may be natural or artificial. The chapter focuses mostly on human agents. Chapters in this Handbook by Martinovski on emotion in negotiation; Lewis, and Kersten and Lai on computer technology relate to our work here.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Damasio (1999, 2003) distinguishes between emotion and feeling – emotion preceding feeling – with affection a term including both. We do not pursue this here; we use the term emotion with affection, emotion and feeling considered interchangeable.

  2. 2.

    More generally, perhaps in other natural agents there is a quantum basis for consciousness coherence within individual agents and among agents allowing coherent collective (group, system) behavior (action) that underlies, for example, swarm intelligence studied by Couzin and others in ants, birds, locust, fish and humans, and relatable to robots (see Zimmer, 2007).

  3. 3.

    In classical Chinese philosophy (Lau, 1961; Merton, 1969), wu wei (meaning literally “without action”, wu meaning “nothing”) is the name for perfection action/non-action. Wu wei means perfect action for any action (conation) in Two in perfect harmony, i.e., connected with One (Tao), and non-action for any action in Two not connected with One. In our work, “right action” is perfect (connected) action.

  4. 4.

    We note that representing formally, mathematically or talking about experience is not the same as the experience. For discussion of the ESD general mathematical model, see Section “Connectedness Problem Solving Negotiation (CPSN) and the Evolutionary Systems Design (ESD) Systems-Spirituality Framework” and footnote 5.

  5. 5.

    Represented here by hierarchies 1 and 2, the ESD general mathematical model (dynamical system) is given in Shakun (1988, chapter 1), by relations (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and a goals/criteria relation there. A coalition (group) C plays a game in time over a multiperiod planning horizon against the set \(\overline C\) of all other players not in C who themselves can form one or more coalitions. The game has a moving present and is an evolving difference game. (Dynamical (described in time) systems in discrete (continuous) time with two or more players are called difference (differential) games.) Relation (5) is represented in hierarchy 1 which shows the coalition C controls/goals/values relation. Relation (6) is represented in hierarchy 2 as the individual and group (coalition C) preference structures. Relations (7), (8), (9) are represented in hierarchy 2 by the technology relation between controls and goals. The goals/criteria relation is also represented in hierarchy 2. The relations (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and the goals/criteria relation model cybernetics/self organization.

  6. 6.

    Formal problem relations (always explicit) are expressed by the formal group problem representation (hierarchies 1 and 2). There are always also informal relations, those not expressed in the formal group problem representation that may be explicit or implicit.

  7. 7.

    We are describing simultaneous play here. Sequential play where players alternate playing present time period controls may also be used.

  8. 8.

    Sycara (1991) uses case-based reasoning and related procedures, and Kersten et al. (1991) uses rule-based techniques for restructuring.

  9. 9.

    In addition to connectedness with others, an agent could also place other connectedness awareness/qualia purposes (Section “One, Two, Agent, System, Purpose, Consciousness, Connectedness, Common Ground and Communication”) at the second highest level.

  10. 10.

    Walsch (2000, p. 204) simply says “love is freedom”.

  11. 11.

    For discussion ofone or more of these intelligence types and their relations see: For body intelligence, see Pfeifer and Scheier (1999), Pfeifer and Bongard (2007); for swarm intelligence, see Kennedy and Eberhart (2001), Zimmer (2007); for emotional intelligence, see Goleman (1995); for social intelligence, see Goleman (2006); for systems intelligence, see Hamalainen and Saarinen (2007); for spirituality, spiritual and holistic intelligence , see Zohar and Marshall (2000, 2004); cognitive intelligence is considered by all these references; Rosenberg (2004) considers purposes (values, needs) basic to purpose intelligence.

  12. 12.

    The triune brain model of MacLean (1990) involves three evolutionary formations –R-complex (reptilian complex), limbic system, and neocortex associated with reptilian behavior (reptiles), emotion (early mammals), and cognition (late mammals), respectively. Reptilian behaviors observed in humans are described by MacLean, e.g., establishment of territory, challenge displays, submissive displays, courtship behavior, etc.

  13. 13.

    In Shakun (2006a) the consciousness components used in generalized rationality are conation, emotion, cognition and holistic.

  14. 14.

    We note that in Buddhism, openness or emptiness means not fixating or holding on to any thought.

  15. 15.

    Procedures and the problem/solution are each systems. Designing a system involves the use of procedures (procedural process, means) to deliver products (ends). The procedures for defining the problem/solution product are themselves the product of procedures for developing procedures. Group agreement on procedures (preferably right procedures) is a negotiated agreement on the way to another negotiated agreement (preferably right) – the solution to the problem/negotiation.

  16. 16.

    With respect to cognitive rightness for a problem relation, Shakun (1992, 1999a, 2001a) suggests validation by specified cybernetic/self-organization procedures – evolutionary heuristics or generating procedures – for examining, changing (evolving) and retaining the relation. These include the heuristic controls/goal/values referral process considered in the Section “Evolutionary Systems Design (ESD)” of the present chapter.

  17. 17.

    Of course, other general-purpose group support systems, e.g., GroupSystems, can be used with ESD. Bui and Shakun (1996) discuss more specialized negotiation capability provided by NEGOTIATOR for implementing ESD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University, 44 West 4 Street, New York, NY, 10012-1126, USA

    Melvin F. Shakun

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  1. Melvin F. Shakun
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Correspondence to Melvin F. Shakun .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Mathematics, Wilfrid Laurier University, University Ave. W. 75, Waterloo, N2L 3C5, Canada

    D. Marc Kilgour

  2. Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0QU, United Kingdom

    Colin Eden

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Shakun, M.F. (2010). Doing Right: Connectedness Problem Solving and Negotiation. In: Kilgour, D., Eden, C. (eds) Handbook of Group Decision and Negotiation. Advances in Group Decision and Negotiation, vol 4. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9097-3_6

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