The Morphodynamics of Transcendence as a Condition of Meaning-generating Agency: An Extension of the Morphogenetic Model in Critical Realism

Marek Wos

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12

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The Morphodynamics of Transcendence as a Condition of Meaning-generating Agency: An Extension of the Morphogenetic Model in Critical Realism

Marek Wos^*

Published in International Journal of Science, Technology and Society (Volume 14, Issue 1)

Received: 5 January 2026 Accepted: 15 January 2026 Published: 11 February 2026

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Abstract

Contemporary societies increasingly operate within rhythmic regimes dominated by technical acceleration, algorithmic anticipation, and systemic optimization. These transformations fundamentally affect the conditions under which human agency, reflexivity, and meaning-generation remain possible. Drawing on the framework of critical realism, this article argues that the current crisis of meaning cannot be adequately explained solely through relational, cultural, or psychological diagnoses. Instead, it requires a reconstruction of the ontological conditions of agency itself. Building upon Margaret S. Archer’s morphogenetic model (T1-T4), the article introduces the concept of morphodynamics, extended by an axiological level designated as T0 (axiostructure). This level is not an additional phase of social change but an ontological condition of possibility for reflexivity and sense-generating action. The article further develops the notion of chrono-hope, understood as a rhythm of action grounded in ontological openness to the future rather than in technical predictability or adaptive coping. By integrating insights from critical realism, digital anthropology, and contemporary diagnoses of acceleration and fatigue, the article proposes a typology of agency that distinguishes adaptive, instrumental, emancipatory, blocked, and transcending forms of action. Empirical references to contemporary youth research are interpreted diagnostically as manifestations of suspended agency at the level of reflexive mediation (T2). The article concludes that hope, understood not as emotion but as an ontological structure, constitutes a necessary condition of meaning-generating agency in late modern digital societies. In this sense, the morphodynamics of transcendence provides an analytical framework for diagnosing the conditions and limits of agency in the contemporary crisis of meaning.

Published in	International Journal of Science, Technology and Society (Volume 14, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12
Page(s)	12-20
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Morphodynamics, Critical Realism, Meaning, Reflexivity, Transcendence

References

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[13]	Marek Wos, “Structure, Agency, and Social Change: The Significance of Critical Realism,” Polish Journal of Critical Realism 3 (2024) no. 6, pp. 131-134.
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[22]	Margaret S. Archer, Transcendence: Critical Realism and God, London–New York: Routledge, 2012.
[23]	Douglas V. Porpora, “The Human Project,” in Margaret S. Archer, Andrew Collier, and Douglas V. Porpora (eds.), Transcendence: Critical Realism and God, London–New York: Routledge, 2004.
[24]	Artur Wysocki, “The Transcendence of the Person in Forgiveness: The Perspective of Relational Sociology,” Seminare: Scholarly Explorations 38 (2017), no. 4, pp. 83-93.
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[31]	For a more detailed discussion on this topic, see: Waldemar Urbanik, Portrait of Contemporary Polish Youth in the Light of the Youth 4.0 Project – Vol. II, Szczecin: „Pedagogium” Wydawnictwo OR TWP w Szczecinie, 2023.
[32]	Małgorzata Stochmal, “Using Critical Realism to Analyse Big Data: Ontic, Epistemic, and Ethical Assumptions,” DOT.PL 1 (2025), pp. 11-12. https://doi.org/10.60097/DOTPL/2091
[33]	Roy Bhaskar, Reflections on Meta-Reality, London: Sage, 2002, p. 37.
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[36]	Nina Krasko, “The Sociology of Zygmunt Bauman: Society and Values,” Culture and Society (Kultura i Społeczeństwo) 2005, no. 3, pp. 68-71.

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Wos, M. (2026). The Morphodynamics of Transcendence as a Condition of Meaning-generating Agency: An Extension of the Morphogenetic Model in Critical Realism. International Journal of Science, Technology and Society, 14(1), 12-20. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12

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Wos, M. The Morphodynamics of Transcendence as a Condition of Meaning-generating Agency: An Extension of the Morphogenetic Model in Critical Realism. Int. J. Sci. Technol. Soc. 2026, 14(1), 12-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12

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Wos M. The Morphodynamics of Transcendence as a Condition of Meaning-generating Agency: An Extension of the Morphogenetic Model in Critical Realism. Int J Sci Technol Soc. 2026;14(1):12-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12,
  author = {Marek Wos},
  title = {The Morphodynamics of Transcendence as a Condition of Meaning-generating Agency: An Extension of the Morphogenetic Model in Critical Realism},
  journal = {International Journal of Science, Technology and Society},
  volume = {14},
  number = {1},
  pages = {12-20},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsts.20261401.12},
  abstract = {Contemporary societies increasingly operate within rhythmic regimes dominated by technical acceleration, algorithmic anticipation, and systemic optimization. These transformations fundamentally affect the conditions under which human agency, reflexivity, and meaning-generation remain possible. Drawing on the framework of critical realism, this article argues that the current crisis of meaning cannot be adequately explained solely through relational, cultural, or psychological diagnoses. Instead, it requires a reconstruction of the ontological conditions of agency itself. Building upon Margaret S. Archer’s morphogenetic model (T1-T4), the article introduces the concept of morphodynamics, extended by an axiological level designated as T0 (axiostructure). This level is not an additional phase of social change but an ontological condition of possibility for reflexivity and sense-generating action. The article further develops the notion of chrono-hope, understood as a rhythm of action grounded in ontological openness to the future rather than in technical predictability or adaptive coping. By integrating insights from critical realism, digital anthropology, and contemporary diagnoses of acceleration and fatigue, the article proposes a typology of agency that distinguishes adaptive, instrumental, emancipatory, blocked, and transcending forms of action. Empirical references to contemporary youth research are interpreted diagnostically as manifestations of suspended agency at the level of reflexive mediation (T2). The article concludes that hope, understood not as emotion but as an ontological structure, constitutes a necessary condition of meaning-generating agency in late modern digital societies. In this sense, the morphodynamics of transcendence provides an analytical framework for diagnosing the conditions and limits of agency in the contemporary crisis of meaning.},
 year = {2026}
}

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T1  - The Morphodynamics of Transcendence as a Condition of Meaning-generating Agency: An Extension of the Morphogenetic Model in Critical Realism
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Y1  - 2026/02/11
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AB  - Contemporary societies increasingly operate within rhythmic regimes dominated by technical acceleration, algorithmic anticipation, and systemic optimization. These transformations fundamentally affect the conditions under which human agency, reflexivity, and meaning-generation remain possible. Drawing on the framework of critical realism, this article argues that the current crisis of meaning cannot be adequately explained solely through relational, cultural, or psychological diagnoses. Instead, it requires a reconstruction of the ontological conditions of agency itself. Building upon Margaret S. Archer’s morphogenetic model (T1-T4), the article introduces the concept of morphodynamics, extended by an axiological level designated as T0 (axiostructure). This level is not an additional phase of social change but an ontological condition of possibility for reflexivity and sense-generating action. The article further develops the notion of chrono-hope, understood as a rhythm of action grounded in ontological openness to the future rather than in technical predictability or adaptive coping. By integrating insights from critical realism, digital anthropology, and contemporary diagnoses of acceleration and fatigue, the article proposes a typology of agency that distinguishes adaptive, instrumental, emancipatory, blocked, and transcending forms of action. Empirical references to contemporary youth research are interpreted diagnostically as manifestations of suspended agency at the level of reflexive mediation (T2). The article concludes that hope, understood not as emotion but as an ontological structure, constitutes a necessary condition of meaning-generating agency in late modern digital societies. In this sense, the morphodynamics of transcendence provides an analytical framework for diagnosing the conditions and limits of agency in the contemporary crisis of meaning.
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Marek Wos

Faculty of Social Sciences, Academy of Applied Sciences TWP, Szczecin, Poland

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http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6756-8045

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APA Style

Wos, M. (2026). The Morphodynamics of Transcendence as a Condition of Meaning-generating Agency: An Extension of the Morphogenetic Model in Critical Realism. International Journal of Science, Technology and Society, 14(1), 12-20. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12

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ACS Style

Wos, M. The Morphodynamics of Transcendence as a Condition of Meaning-generating Agency: An Extension of the Morphogenetic Model in Critical Realism. Int. J. Sci. Technol. Soc. 2026, 14(1), 12-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12

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AMA Style

Wos M. The Morphodynamics of Transcendence as a Condition of Meaning-generating Agency: An Extension of the Morphogenetic Model in Critical Realism. Int J Sci Technol Soc. 2026;14(1):12-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12,
  author = {Marek Wos},
  title = {The Morphodynamics of Transcendence as a Condition of Meaning-generating Agency: An Extension of the Morphogenetic Model in Critical Realism},
  journal = {International Journal of Science, Technology and Society},
  volume = {14},
  number = {1},
  pages = {12-20},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsts.20261401.12},
  abstract = {Contemporary societies increasingly operate within rhythmic regimes dominated by technical acceleration, algorithmic anticipation, and systemic optimization. These transformations fundamentally affect the conditions under which human agency, reflexivity, and meaning-generation remain possible. Drawing on the framework of critical realism, this article argues that the current crisis of meaning cannot be adequately explained solely through relational, cultural, or psychological diagnoses. Instead, it requires a reconstruction of the ontological conditions of agency itself. Building upon Margaret S. Archer’s morphogenetic model (T1-T4), the article introduces the concept of morphodynamics, extended by an axiological level designated as T0 (axiostructure). This level is not an additional phase of social change but an ontological condition of possibility for reflexivity and sense-generating action. The article further develops the notion of chrono-hope, understood as a rhythm of action grounded in ontological openness to the future rather than in technical predictability or adaptive coping. By integrating insights from critical realism, digital anthropology, and contemporary diagnoses of acceleration and fatigue, the article proposes a typology of agency that distinguishes adaptive, instrumental, emancipatory, blocked, and transcending forms of action. Empirical references to contemporary youth research are interpreted diagnostically as manifestations of suspended agency at the level of reflexive mediation (T2). The article concludes that hope, understood not as emotion but as an ontological structure, constitutes a necessary condition of meaning-generating agency in late modern digital societies. In this sense, the morphodynamics of transcendence provides an analytical framework for diagnosing the conditions and limits of agency in the contemporary crisis of meaning.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Morphodynamics of Transcendence as a Condition of Meaning-generating Agency: An Extension of the Morphogenetic Model in Critical Realism
AU  - Marek Wos
Y1  - 2026/02/11
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12
T2  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
JF  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
JO  - International Journal of Science, Technology and Society
SP  - 12
EP  - 20
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7420
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsts.20261401.12
AB  - Contemporary societies increasingly operate within rhythmic regimes dominated by technical acceleration, algorithmic anticipation, and systemic optimization. These transformations fundamentally affect the conditions under which human agency, reflexivity, and meaning-generation remain possible. Drawing on the framework of critical realism, this article argues that the current crisis of meaning cannot be adequately explained solely through relational, cultural, or psychological diagnoses. Instead, it requires a reconstruction of the ontological conditions of agency itself. Building upon Margaret S. Archer’s morphogenetic model (T1-T4), the article introduces the concept of morphodynamics, extended by an axiological level designated as T0 (axiostructure). This level is not an additional phase of social change but an ontological condition of possibility for reflexivity and sense-generating action. The article further develops the notion of chrono-hope, understood as a rhythm of action grounded in ontological openness to the future rather than in technical predictability or adaptive coping. By integrating insights from critical realism, digital anthropology, and contemporary diagnoses of acceleration and fatigue, the article proposes a typology of agency that distinguishes adaptive, instrumental, emancipatory, blocked, and transcending forms of action. Empirical references to contemporary youth research are interpreted diagnostically as manifestations of suspended agency at the level of reflexive mediation (T2). The article concludes that hope, understood not as emotion but as an ontological structure, constitutes a necessary condition of meaning-generating agency in late modern digital societies. In this sense, the morphodynamics of transcendence provides an analytical framework for diagnosing the conditions and limits of agency in the contemporary crisis of meaning.
VL  - 14
IS  - 1
ER  -

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