Dear Editor,

The current dispute over the use of political flags reveals a community of people who, according to Ken Wilber, in

The Integral Vision at the Millennium, are classified as belonging to the “Blue” or “purposeful/authoritarian level” of emotional development.

These are the “true believers”, the concrete-literal fundamentalists who love certitude and knowing who is right and who is wrong. However, as Pope Francis said recently, “Fundamentalism is always a tragedy. It is not religious, it lacks God, and it is idolatrous..Such people think they know absolute truth and thus they corrupt religion.”

This is the world of flags; an unquestioned group believing there is only one right way to think in the Blue level. It is very tribal.

The Blue existence is structured by laws, regulations, and discipline. Hence many people at this level live in political garrisons. Violating the rules has serious repercussions, both now and forever. Guilt is used to keep everyone in line. People at the Blue level are comfortable with rigid social hierarchies. These people are loyalists, for good and for ill.

People at the Blue existence are egocentric. Losing egocentrism is such an important process to overcome — to be able to see and understand other viewpoints, both socially and intellectually. In order for people to recognise other viewpoints and gain facility in reading and writing critically, they need experiences with appropriate questions and opportunities for debate.

The Ministry of Education along with the new political ombudsman need to refocus and tackle the root of political tribalism and egocentrism which is at our failing early childhood education system.

Dudley C McLean

Mandeville, Manchester

dm15094@gmail.com