Holons

Definition

A holon is something that is simultaneously a whole and a part. Holons are self-reliant units that possess a degree of independence and can handle contingencies without asking higher authorities for instructions.  These holons are also simultaneously subject to control from one or more of these higher authorities.​

A hierarchy of holons is called a holarchy. The test of holarchy is that if all instances of a given type of holon cease to exist, then all the holons they were part of must cease to exist too. Thus an atom is of a lower standing in the hierarchy than a molecule, because if you removed all molecules, atoms could still exist, whereas if you removed all atoms, molecules, in a strict sense would cease to exist. Ken Wilber's concept is known as the doctrine of the fundamental and the significant. A hydrogen atom is more fundamental than an ant, but an ant is more significant

Application

A holon, as it pertains to organizations can be viewed as individuals at the base, individuals that make up teams, teams that make up teams of teams, teams of teams that make up organizations, organizations that make up the enterprise.

To the right is an example of what an enterprize holarchy can look like.