The 2 Axes of the Progress Spectrum

A foundational model for understanding progress along two fundamental dimensions. The first axis runs from Material Progress (advances in technology, standard of living, physical well-being—things you can measure in GDP, calories, square footage) to Moral Progress (advances in ethics, human rights, justice, dignity—things you can't measure but know when you see them). The second axis runs from Individual Progress (personal development, capability, freedom) to Collective Progress (societal advancement, institutional improvement, shared flourishing). These two axes create four quadrants: material-individual (personal wealth), material-collective (public infrastructure), moral-individual (personal virtue development), moral-collective (civil rights advancements). The model reveals that "progress" isn't one thing—it's a spectrum of improvements that don't always move together.

The 2 Axes of the Progress Spectrum "We have more stuff than ever, but are we better people? The 2 Axes of the Progress Spectrum show the tension: material progress is up, moral progress is... debatable. You can't just say 'things are getting better' without specifying which axis. Progress on one doesn't guarantee progress on the other."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 2 Axes of the Epistemology Spectrum

A foundational model for understanding theories of knowledge along two fundamental dimensions. The first axis runs from Rationalism (knowledge through reason, logic, innate ideas—thinking your way to truth) to Empiricism (knowledge through experience, observation, sensory data—seeing your way to truth). The second axis runs from Foundationalism (knowledge built on secure, certain foundations that cannot be doubted) to Coherentism (knowledge as a web of mutually supporting beliefs, with no absolute foundations). These two axes create four epistemological orientations: rationalist-foundationalist (Descartes), empiricist-foundationalist (early logical positivists), rationalist-coherentist (some rationalists who gave up on foundations), empiricist-coherentist (Quine, much of contemporary science). The model reveals that "epistemology" isn't one debate—it's a spectrum of positions on where knowledge comes from and how it's structured.

The 2 Axes of the Epistemology Spectrum "You keep demanding absolute foundations for knowledge. The 2 Axes of the Epistemology Spectrum show you're a foundationalist. But coherentists say: foundations aren't necessary—what matters is how beliefs hang together. You're not more rigorous—you're just on a different axis. Learn the spectrum or stay confused about why everyone won't play your foundation game."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 2 Axes of the Pseudoscience Spectrum

A foundational model for distinguishing pseudoscience from science along two fundamental dimensions. The first axis runs from Methodologically Sound (uses scientific methods: hypothesis testing, peer review, self-correction) to Methodologically Unsound (relies on anecdote, authority, or unfalsifiable claims). The second axis runs from Progressive Research Program (generates new questions, evolves with evidence) to Stagnant Dogma (repeats same claims regardless of evidence, immune to falsification). These two axes create four categories: sound-progressive (mainstream science), sound-stagnant (some legit but moribund fields), unsound-progressive (rare—maybe early stages of fringe ideas that later become science), unsound-stagnant (classic pseudoscience: astrology, homeopathy). The model reveals that pseudoscience isn't simply "wrong science"—it's science that fails on methodology and refuses to progress.

The 2 Axes of the Pseudoscience Spectrum "You keep calling anything you disagree with pseudoscience. The 2 Axes show otherwise: homeopathy is unsound and stagnant—that's pseudoscience. A controversial but testable hypothesis is unsound but progressive—that's fringe science, not pseudoscience. Different axes, different judgments. Learn the difference."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 2 Axes of the Parascience Spectrum

A foundational model for understanding parascience—fields of inquiry that exist alongside conventional science without necessarily opposing it—along two fundamental dimensions. The first axis runs from Empirically Testable (claims that could potentially be investigated through observation and experiment) to Empirically Untestable (claims that currently resist scientific investigation due to methodology limits or phenomenon nature). The second axis runs from Mainstream-Compatible (findings could potentially integrate with conventional science) to Mainstream-Incompatible (findings would require fundamental revision of scientific paradigms). These two axes create four parascience categories: testable-compatible (fringe physics, some parapsychology research), testable-incompatible (phenomena that would break known physics if confirmed), untestable-compatible (philosophical questions, some spiritual experiences), untestable-incompatible (realms claimed to be beyond any possible investigation). The model reveals that parascience isn't a single thing—it's a diverse landscape of claims with different relationships to scientific method and scientific orthodoxy.

The 2 Axes of the Parascience Spectrum "You lump all parascience together as 'woo.' The 2 Axes show otherwise: telepathy research is testable but incompatible (would break physics). Meditation experiences are untestable but compatible (they don't contradict science). Different axes, different statuses. Not all parascience is the same kind of not-science."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 2 Axes of the Spectrum of Reality

A foundational model for understanding the nature of reality along two fundamental dimensions. The first axis runs from Material (reality consists of physical stuff—matter, energy, particles) to Ideal (reality consists of ideas, forms, consciousness—mind stuff). The second axis runs from Objective (reality exists independent of observers) to Subjective (reality is constructed by or dependent on observers). These two axes create four basic metaphysical positions: material-objective (scientific realism), material-subjective (some interpretations of quantum mechanics), ideal-objective (Platonism), ideal-subjective (solipsism, some idealism). The model reveals that "what is real?" isn't one question—it's a choice between fundamental orientations toward the nature and locus of existence.

The 2 Axes of the Spectrum of Reality "You think the table is just obviously real. The 2 Axes of the Spectrum of Reality ask: real as in material? Yes. Real as in objective? Probably. But idealists say the table is real as an idea in consciousness. Subjective idealists say it's real only in your mind. Same table, four different realities. The axes don't tell you who's right—they tell you what you're even arguing about."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 2 Axes of the Spectrum of Metaphysics

A foundational model for understanding metaphysical systems along two fundamental dimensions. The first axis runs from Materialism (reality is fundamentally physical—matter, energy, particles) to Idealism (reality is fundamentally mental—consciousness, ideas, spirit). The second axis runs from Monism (reality is one substance or principle) to Pluralism (reality consists of many fundamental kinds). These two axes create four basic metaphysical orientations: materialist-monism (physicalism: everything is matter), materialist-pluralism (multiple kinds of physical stuff), idealist-monism (Advaita Vedanta: all is consciousness), idealist-pluralism (Leibniz: many mental substances). The model reveals that metaphysics isn't a single debate—it's a choice about what fundamentally exists and how many kinds of fundamental things there are.

The 2 Axes of the Spectrum of Metaphysics "You say everything is physical. That's materialism. But is everything one kind of physical stuff (monism) or many kinds (pluralism)? The 2 Axes ask: are you a materialist monist like Spinoza, or a materialist pluralist like most scientists? Same materialism, different metaphysics. The axes give you the next question."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 2 Axes of the Spectrum of Philosophy

A foundational model for understanding philosophical systems along two fundamental dimensions. The first axis runs from Analytic Philosophy (emphasis on logic, language, clarity, argument—philosophy as problem-solving) to Continental Philosophy (emphasis on history, culture, existence, meaning—philosophy as interpretation). The second axis runs from Theoretical Philosophy (concerned with truth, knowledge, reality—what is) to Practical Philosophy (concerned with ethics, politics, value—what should be). These two axes create four basic philosophical orientations: analytic-theoretical (philosophy of science, metaphysics), analytic-practical (ethics, political philosophy in analytic style), continental-theoretical (phenomenology, ontology), continental-practical (critical theory, existential ethics). The model reveals that philosophy isn't one thing—it's a spectrum of approaches and concerns.

The 2 Axes of the Spectrum of Philosophy "You say philosophy is useless. The 2 Axes ask: which philosophy? Analytic-theoretical is useless if you want life advice. Continental-practical is useless if you want logical precision. Same philosophy label, completely different functions. The axes help you find what you need—or at least stop dismissing what you don't."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026