Searching for the archetype of quality, the foundation of all quality approaches (on the Christmas Eve 2005)

How can one find the deep foundations of the quality thinking? Carl Jung introduced archetype as an important concept of his philosophical approach. The archetype implies common psychological predispositions of all humans. An archetype can only be revealed through an examination of the symbolic communications of the human psyche, and the themes of human relational / behavioral patterns. Archetype is the original model of which all other similar objects or concepts are merely derivative, copied, patterned, or emulated. The term is to refer to something that goes back to the fundamental origins of style, method, or structure.

The archetype of quality is goodness and love as they have existed in the world-religions and philosophies through the whole life of mankind. E.g. The Bible asserts love's superiority over the other virtues: "So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.“ (1 Cor 13:13). Love is the strongest driver for collaboration and “on earth peace” (Luke 2:14) between individuals, groups, and nations. There may not be any genuine possibilities to quality if peace is missing. In striving for quality we adopt the archetype of quality integration (or quality management) that is related to the concept love: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Mat 22:39) This equals with the principle of win / win of the modern quality integration.

Quality archetype is deeply related to the tacit knowledge and quality awareness.


(Original Christmas symbols from the city of Pietarsaari, Finland, "Faith, Hope and Love" that we have every Christmas at home in the window)