ABOUT

WHO WE ARE

The Institute of Transactional Philosophy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to the continual development and education of applied transactional philosophy.

Our aim is to promote the philosophy of transactionalism through an applied inquiry that equips people to think and act together in facing the most pressing and significant issues confronting humanity today.

Our vision is to support the development, awareness, and application of the philosophy of transactionalism through a broad body of educational works and programs to inspire a worldview of cooperation, participation, and help.

WHAT WE DO

The Institute of Transactional Philosophy offers resources that enhance the efforts of those who see a world where mutual concerns can be addressed through cooperation, participation, and the giving and receiving of help. When people and groups engage with one another, in ethical and respectful discourse, in an effort toward a satisfying human existence, the Institute fulfills its aim and mission.

We see a unique opportunity in the 21st Century to advance a broad global discourse through an applied inquiry that includes academia, government affairs, social and environmental institutions, the business professional community, as well as those in the general public, who seek to live good and satisfactory lives and inspire our global family toward a thriving and healthy planet.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Transactionalism as we mean it is not derived from the tit-for-tat concept that is commonly used in economic terms. Rather transaction's Latin roots "trans," meaning across, beyond and "Agere," meaning To do, to act connotes something more mutual at work. That is that humans are social, exchange beings at their core. The better we understand what we seek to satisfy in our lives, the lives of people in our transactions and the environment, the more satisfying the transactions can be that we design together. As Frederick Barth, a renowned social anthropologist said that transactionalism's aim is "to create a satisfactory life, a rich mutual life together." 

This is not a utopian ideal, but rather a radical rethinking of the fundamental nature of our universe. To learn more about the philosophical underpinnings of transactionalism, please read the proposed philosophical propositions.