Integrated Reality Theory (IRT) as a Processual-Relational Integrative Framework: Synthesis, Novelties, and Methodological Implications
M. Shoim, Siti Mujanah, Abdul Halik
Journal of Finance, Economics and Business May 13, 2026 DOI: 10.59827/jfeb.v5i1.537 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Integrated Reality Theory offers novelty by integrating processual ontology, relationalism, critical realism, and a formalized dynamic model of five variables—energy, information, entropy, consciousness, and evolution—but contends that construct validity, especially for consciousness and evolution, remains a major challenge. Concludes that IRT may be a useful analytical framework for studying states, organizations, and social change, pending further empirical testing. |
Abstract
This article examines Integrated Reality Theory (IRT) as a cross-disciplinary synthesis effort to answer the fragmentation of modern knowledge. With a conceptual-comparative approach, this article puts IRT in dialogue with critical realism, general systems theory, and the science of complexity. The results of the analysis show that IRT has novelty in integrating processual ontology, relationalism, critical realism, and the formalization of five main variables—energy, information, entropy, consciousness, and evolution—into a dynamic model that is operational. However, the validity of constructs, especially on the variables of consciousness and evolution, is still a major challenge. This article concludes that IRT has the potential to be a useful analytical framework for the study of states, organizations, and social change, but it still requires further empirical testing.