Time Matrix
A central starting premise of this metatheory of change is that it does not originate from the uniqueness and order of the world, but from the necessity to make distinctions, in order to react meaningfully to the world. Stability is based upon the fact that everything refers back to itself and therefore creates entangled, paradoxical, circular processes. This not only applies to such fundamental processes as time itself.
We utilise highly abstract time-philosophical analyses (without presenting them here). The main reference point here is Georg Picht, one of the greatest, if not one of the most well-known, thinkers of the last century. His studies about the structure of time can be connected to the system-theoretical considerations by Luhmann and E. Espositos. For change theories of social systems and for the understanding of paradoxical environments, in which decision-making processes move around in organisations, it is helpful if one understands which observation matrix of time results when one uses the distinction between past, present and future on oneself. Then, future present can be distinguished from present future, just as much as past present from present past.
With the help of such, initially peculiar, conceptualisations, time can, however, be used more effectively and more analytically for change processes. A theory, which works by referencing back in time, or which elaborates on this, is so far missing. Nevertheless, the nine fields in a time structure, which refers back to itself, can be named. See also: Time Matrix (PDF). This observation model is particularly relevant for the theory and practice of the metatheory of change.