The Experiential Field as a Morphogenetic Space: A Field‑Oriented Framework for Subjective Experience and Clinical Practice
Theory & Psychology February 19, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/09593543261419445 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSubjective experience arises from an experiential field, a morphogenetic space that continuously shifts states. Signification is the primary structuring force, organizing perceptual flow and modulating the interplay between presence and absence as two co-implicated topological domains. Presence anchors meaning with stability and continuity, while absence is not a void but a generative force that reorganizes meaning trajectories and fosters transformation. Three conceptual propositions illustrate how presence and absence interact to shape unique subjective experience. Clinically, the framework offers a structured lens for meaning-making dynamics in therapy, and a case example shows how integrating absence can open new possibilities for change.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Experiential learning Generative grammar Framing construction Perception Structuring |
| Key finding | Subjective experience is shaped by the interplay of presence and absence within a morphogenetic experiential field, where absence acts as a generative force for transformation. |
Abstract
This article presents a field‑oriented framework for understanding subjective experience through the dynamics of the experiential field. The experiential field is conceived as a morphogenetic space that continuously shifts its states, giving rise to forms of experience. Signification is described as the primary structuring force of this space: through it, the subject organizes perceptual flow and modulates the interplay between presence and absence, understood as two co‑implicated topological domains of the field. Presence anchors meaning, providing stability and continuity, while absence opens up a generative dimension that can prompt transformation. Absence is thus understood not as an ontological void but as a force capable of reorganizing meaning trajectories, reshaping the field, and fostering change. Three conceptual propositions are presented to illustrate how presence and absence interact to shape the uniqueness of subjective experience. Clinically, the framework aims to provide a structured lens for framing meaning-making dynamics in therapeutic contexts. A case example illustrates how the integration of absence can open up new possibilities for change.