Study of Threes Phenomena
Persistent Dichotomies
Pg 1/ Pg 2

(The Study of Threes)

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The title of this page comes from an excellent outline of Lecture material provided by Dr. Street:


I chanced upon the forth-coming list as I was rummaging about the internet in search of "two-patterned" examples featured as dualities or dichotomies to be used as part of a discussion on one of the pages for the Novum Organum Threesiarum preface page A section. And even though I am familiar with many of those selectively listed, it has been more years than I can remember when I last took a psychology course. Humorously, it was during an age when Freud was still in diapers (though he had a beard even then). Yet I don't in any particular way remember being introduced to the idea concerning the persistence of dichotomies. In retrospect, a profile of dichotomous thinking does in fact persist as highlighted by Dr. Street. Each of us uses our own variations of a dichotomous perspective from time to time.

Stated as such, it is necessary to point out the need for a distinction with respect to dichotomies (or if you prefer, dualities). The realization which should more rightly be proffered is that there is a Persistence of Dichotomization. At least in some respects, and obviously used quite often when philosophically discussing aspects of psychology. While some may want to argue that such a persistence in thinking is due to the actual presence of dichotomies (such as two eyes, two ears, etc...), it should be noted that an alternative array of dichotomies (or dualities) does not typically accompany nor become accumulated in a similar manner as does a listing of various trichotomies.

Let me now present the list of dichotomies exhibited on Dr. Street's page which will be followed by additional examples compiled by other "dual-focused" individualized perspectives:

Here is a short excerpt viewing dichotomies in the context of a psychological system which are part of a larger course in Theoretical Backgrounds in Psychology

With regard to the problem of what is ideally entailed by a psychological system, Marx and Cronan-Hillix dealt with Robert Watson's "prescriptions" and with a study by Coan who had psychological theories assessed on a number of bipolar dimensions. In an attempt to make up for the lack of a psychological paradigm, Watson (1967, p. 436; 1971, p. 315; Fuchs & Kawash, 1974) isolated eighteen themes or prescriptions:

  1. conscious mentalism - unconscious mentalism
  2. contentual objectivism - contentual subjectivism
  3. determinsim - indeterminism
  4. empiricism - rationalism
  5. structuralism - functionalism
  6. inductivism - deductivism
  7. mechanism - vitalism
  8. methodological objectivism - methodological subjectivism
  9. molecularism - molarism
  10. dualism - monism
  11. naturalism - supernaturalism
  12. nomothetics - idographicism
  13. perferalism - centralism
  14. utilitarianism - purism
  15. quantitativism - qualitativism
  16. rationalism - irrationalism
  17. staticism developmentalism
  18. staticism - dynamicism

(prescriptions 5, 10, 14 have been quoted in reverse order.)

The list is a little unsystematic, it will be note. Contentual, methodological, and philosophical prescriptions have been state in no apparent order, and some seem to overlap. Moreover, concepts such as rationalism and staticism are used in more than one sense while the meaning of the first prescription in particular leave the present author in the dark.

In coan's study (1968, 1973), six bipolar factors were found in a factor-analysis of 34 variables. The list is conveniently short compared to Watson's but its general similarity with the prescription is easily grasped:

  1. subjectivistic - objectivistic
  2. holistic - elementaristic
  3. person - transpersonal
  4. qualitative - quantitative
  5. dynamic - static
  6. endogenist - exogenist

Recently, the same number of dimensions was found by Kimble (1984). In an attempt to describe "psychology's two cultures", (cf. Schopman, 1989, Stagner, 1988) Kimple came up with the following list:

  1. scientific - human values
  2. determinism - indeterminism
  3. objectivism - intuitionism
  4. laboratory - field
  5. nomothetic - idiographic laws
  6. elementism - holism

Annals of Theoretical Psychology 9
(Edited by Hans V. Rappard, Pieter J. Van Strien, Leendert P. Mos and William J. Baker)

Parallel ways of knowing
(J. E. Bogen)

Left Hemisphere Right Hemisphere
Intellect Intuition
Convergent Divergent
Digital Analogic
Secondary Primary
Abstract Concrete
Directed Free
Propositional Imaginative
Analytic Relational
Lineal Non-lineal
Rational Intuitive
Sequential Multiple
Analytic Holistic
Objective Subjective
Successive Simultaneous

Left and Right Hemisphere Brain Attributes page 1

The Duality of Yin & Yang
(I Ching)

yang 1st and yin 2nd arrangement yin 1st and yang 2nd arrangement

While the last two lists were focused on an itemization of brain hemisphere attribute differences, and Dr. Street's list was not, all three of them have the underlying intention of pointing out patterns-of-two as a fundamental thinking formula. And it should be noted that the lists were not generated because the examples were taken out of some otherwise perceived context as a juxtaposed dominating contrariety, since they were actually used in an attempt to diagram a distinction within the context of thinking. It might well be presumed that the authors genuinely thought they were providing an insight into some dominant fundamental pattern. Yet, the lists do not likewise generate the distinction concerning the recurrence of Singularities and Pluralities, with the dominant plurality appearing to be Triplicities.

The lists also do not themselves venture into an attempt to provide the supposition of pristine influence other than to align differences with different brain structures, though Dr. Street's list does not make any such suggestion one way or another. As such, it is rather curious that while the two brain hemispheres can be used to suggest a role in the development of dichotomous ideas, the idea of a triune brain as outlined by Paul D. MacLean has not received an equal weight of organizational influence on three-patterned ideas.

However, I do not want to give the impression that the above two-patterned examples are in any way representative of a limitation having been reached in supplying the reader with examples. There are multiple other examples, but once you have surveyed them as well, you will then be able to describe for yourself that a limitation does in fact exist not only for "twos" in their multiple forms, but all number patterns being used. Let me provide a few more examples of two-patterned groupings, though many of them are aligned around or has some precursor arrangement/relationship to the yin/yang (or yang/yin) concept even if this is not implied.

The following list of dichotomies labeled "dualities" comes from: Wiikipedia: List of dualities, though there is another page described as Wikipedia: Twins in Mythology, as well as other two-patterned collections. We might also want to include: The 35 Greatest TV Duos of All Time by Adam Vitcavage, January 8, 2012, 8:15 am. However, the range in which dichotomies play out in the behavior of gangs and gangsters, political systems, religious systems, economic systems, military leaderships and campaigns, science teams, sports teams, male/female relationships, biological development, atomic particle interactions, planetary events (such as twin stars), language expressions, selective hearing, thinking, etc., has not actually been explored very deeply. Present humanity is pretty superficial, superstitions, and supercilious (or shall we say, engaging in a range of super silliness).

Philosophy and religion

Science: Engineering

Science: Physics

We could also include words with the "bi" prefix, which stands for two: (Prefix BI). However, the following list is quite brief when we take in the stock of examples from: Category: English words prefixed with bi-

  1. Biangular
  2. Biannual
  3. Biaxial
  4. Bicameral
  5. Bicapsular
  6. Bicarbonate
  7. Bicentennial
  8. Bicephalous
  9. Biceps
  10. Biconcave
  11. Biconvex
  12. Bicuspid
  13. Bicycle
  14. Biennial
  15. Bifocals
  16. Biform
  17. Bifurcate
  18. Bigamy
  19. Bilabial
  20. Bilateral
  21. Bilingual
  22. Bimanual
  23. Bimonthly
  24. Binaural
  25. Binocular
  26. Binomial
  27. Biography
  28. Bipartisan
  29. Biped
  30. Biphenyl
  31. Bipinnate
  32. Bipolar
  33. Biracial
  34. Bisect
  35. Bisexual
  36. Bivalve
  37. Biweekly
  38. Biyearly

If we then attempt to provide a list of words prefixed with the alternative "di", we run into the situation that it requires multiple pages, so let us hope this link is sufficient for those who are curious: Category: English words prefixed with di-

By comparison, in order to make a specific reference to the fact that not all numbers have quantity-focused prefixes, and that the list is quite small, let me provide a few alternative references to other prefixes highlighting an enumeration, though its actual adopted usage in more familiar and everyday words may be sparse or relatively non-existent. (Metric (SI) Prefixes)

Purpose Prefix Name Pronunciation Prefix Symbol Value

larger quantities
or whole units
yotta yot'uh Y 1024 Septillion
zetta zet'uh Z 1021 Sextillion
exa ex'a
a as in about
E 1018 Quintillion
peta as in petal P 1015 Quadrillion
tera as in terrace T 1012 Trillion
giga jig'a
a as in about
G 109 Billion
mega as in megaphone M 106 Million
kilo as in kilowatt k 103 Thousand
hecto heck'toe h 102 Hundred
deka deck'a
a as in about
da 101 Ten
100 One
smaller quantities
or sub units
deci as in decimal d 10-1 Tenth
centi as in sentiment c 10-2 Hundredth
milli as in military m 10-3 Thousandth
micro as in microphone µ 10-6 Millionth
nano nan'oh
an as in ant
n 10-9 Billionth
pico peek'oh p 10-12 Trillionth
femto fem'toe
fem as in feminine
f 10-15 Quadrillionth
atto as in anatomy a 10-18 Quintillionth
zepto zep'toe z 10-21 Sextillionth
yocto yok'toe y 10-24 Septillionth

Whole Units Decimal Units
thousands hundreds tens basic unit tenths hundredths thousandths
1000 100 10 1 0.1 0.01 0.001
kilo- hecto- deka- meter
deci- centi- milli

When we get to the more familiar prefixes which have spread to various nooks and crannies of language usage, no doubt due to a longer history of application, let us make note of the greek and Latin variations: (Numerical Prefixes)

Latin prefixes (uni, bi, tri ...) are normally used for the following categories.
  • mathematical bases "-al"
  • adjectives of relation "-nary"
  • groups of musicians "-tet"
  • words for multiples of something "-uple"
  • number of years between two events "-ennial"
  • number of sides of something "-lateral"
  • words for large numbers / exponents "-illion"
  • less common categories: number of leaflets or petals on a leaf or flower "-foliate", chemical valencies "-valent"; division into parts "-partite" or "-fid".

In this first table, I've listed the Latin words for 1 through 12 along with the appropriate prefix that is derived from it. For each of the above categories, check the appropriate column and find the word list. In cases where the word couldn't be found in regular dictionaries, I've extrapolated from the other words and used appropriate prefixes and endings to construct the correct form. In such hypothetical cases, the word is marked with an asterisk and put it in italics.

Table 1: Latin-Prefixed Numerical Words
Numeral Prefix Base Relation Music Multiple Yearly Sides Exponent
1 unus uni N/A unary (solo) (single) (annual) unilateral (million)
2 duo bi/duo binal binary duet duple/double biennial bilateral billion
3 tres, tria tri trial, tertial trinary, ternary trio triple/treble triennial trilateral trillion
4 quattuor quadri/quart quartal quaternary quartet quadruple quadriennial quadrilateral quadrillion
5 quinque quinque/quint quintal quinary,
quintet quintuple quinquennial quinquelateral quintillion
6 sex sex(t), se sextal senary/sexenary sextet sextuple sexennial *sexilateral sextillion
7 septem sept septimal septenary septet septuple septennial septilateral septillion
8 octo oct octal, octaval octonary octet octuple octennial octilateral octillion
9 novem nonus/novem nonal nonary nonet nonuple,
novennial *nonilateral nonillion
10 decem dec(a), de decimal denary dectet decuple decennial *decilateral decillion
11 undecim undec, unde undecimal undenary *undectet *undecuple undecennial *undecilateral undecillion
12 duodecim duodec, duode duodecimal duodenary *duodectet duodecuple duodecennial *duodecilateral duodecillion

So far, so good. We can see that there are a few exceptions to the general rule, particularly for the numbers 1 and 2, and in some cases such as "quinary / quinquenary" where multiple forms exist. Since I'm not being hardline about "proper" forms, I'm including all the forms normally used, even when they don't strictly follow the rules. Up to 12, the Latin prefixes hold up pretty well; most of the forms exist; only "sexilateral", of all the hypotheticals, is less than nine. My theory is that it sounds too lewd to have been adopted as the term for something with six sides. Well enough, then.

Let's turn to the Greek prefixes (mono, di, tri ...), which are used for the following categories:

  • number of angles of plane figures "-gon"
  • number of faces of solid figures "-hedron"
  • number of angles in a shape or line "-angle"
  • number of rulers in a government "-archy"
  • number of meters in a poetic verse"-meter"
  • number of objects in a group "-ad"
  • number of events in an athletic competition "-athlon"
  • less common categories: numbers of syllables in words "-syllabic"; sets of books or other works "-logy"; number of fingers "-dactylic"; number of languages spoken "-glot"; number of parts "-merous"; number of columns "-style"; amount of carbon in many chemical molecules "-ane", "-ene", "-yne".

And now, Table 2 shows us the Greek numeral words and prefixes in conjunction with the appropriate suffixes for the above categories.

Table 2: Greek-Prefixed Numerical Words
Numeral Prefix Polygon Polyhedron Angle Ruler Meter Group Event
1 en mono N/A N/A N/A monarch N/A monad N/A
2 dyo/duo/di di/dy N/A N/A N/A diarch, dyarch dimeter dyad biathlon
3 treis, tria tri triangle N/A triangle triarch trimeter triad triathlon
4 tessera tetra tetragon tetrahedron quadrangle tetrarch tetrameter tetrad tetrathlon
5 pente penta pentagon pentahedron pentangle pentarch pentameter pentad pentathlon
6 hexa hex hexagon hexahedron hexangle hexarch hexameter hexad *hexathlon
7 hepta hept heptagon heptahedron heptangle heptarch heptameter heptad heptathlon
8 okto oct octagon octohedron octangle octarch octameter octad *octathlon
9 ennea ennea enneagon,
enneahedron *enneangle *ennearch *enneameter ennead *enneathlon
10 deka dec(a) decagon decahedron decangle decarch decameter decad(e) decathlon
11 hendeka hendec(a) hendecagon,
hendecahedron *hendecangle hendecarch *hendecameter *hendecad *hendecathlon
12 dodeka dodec(a) dodecagon dodecahedron *dodecangle dodecarch *dodecameter dodecad(e) *dodecathlon

The situation with the Greek terms is a little more complex than with the Latin, but not excessively so. Latin prefixes are used for some words for polygons, although the Greek prefix is to be preferred. "Biathlon" should, by all rights, be "diathlon", "triangle" is used for a plane figure as well as angles (instead of 'triagon'), and there are very few terms for 1 and 2. Of course, this is partly because there's no such thing as a two-faced polyhedron, and not much point in describing a single athletic event as a "monathlon" ...

So far, we've stuck to the numbers 1 through 12. We have pretty solid sequences of words, although the words relating to 9 and 11 are, to be fair, extremely rare. But moving to the teens, decades, 100 and 1000, the words become much more sparse. Still, given the right adjectives and a little creativity, we can construct many hypothetical words that should be understandable. Table 3 lists the higher Latin numbers and prefixes. I'll stick to listing the numerical bases and adjectives of relation, and let you figure out the rest on your own, on the pattern described above. Most of the other terms aren't found in dictionaries (how often do you need to describe something that recurs every 60 years?), with the exception of those for 20, where terms like vicennial and vigintillion are sometimes used.

Initial Posting date: May, 22, 2014
Updated posting: Friday, December 6th, 2019... 9:14 AM

Your Questions, Comments or Additional Information are welcomed:
Herb O. Buckland