Co-petition

as 'process of petitioning together'

Morphological Analysis

Etymon: English co-petition: 'process of petitioning together'
Morpheme breakdown: co-petition from co- 'together' + petit as 'try' (from peto) + suffix -ion meaning 'process of' -> 'process of trying together'.

Essential Definition

The fundamental process of petitioning: 'seeking, trying' together, which serves as the conceptual and metaphysical ground for both cooperation: 'operating together' and collaboration: 'laboring together'.

Semantic Context

Conventional sense: the process underlying both cooperation: 'process of operating together' and collaboration: 'process of laboring together' (Note: Newly coined and as such no semantic drift from essential meaning)
Essential meaning (my usage): process of petitioning together

Philosophical Significance

This framework posits the 'conference of difference"' as the fundamental process primitive of existence itself. Therefore, its philosophical significance is universal: it provides a normative metaphysical lens for analyzing all processes of being, from quantum entanglements and biological symbiosis to cosmological structures and societal formations, by diagnosing whether they operate through the co-petitive mutualism that sustains existence or the competitive exclusivity that undermines it.

Usage in This Lexicon

When I use the word co-petition in my work, I mean exactly 'process of petitioning together'. This enables:

Provides a foundational ontological metaphor: Framing existence itself as a 'conference of difference' roots being in relationality and interaction from the outset. Existence is not first about static entities, but about the ongoing process of differing entities engaging with one another.
Unifies cooperation and collaboration under a higher principle: It positions collaboration: 'laboring together' and cooperation:"operating together' as sub-processes of the core mode of co-petition. This clarifies that these positive interactions are specific manifestations of a more fundamental, emancipatory way to handle difference.
Reframes competition by exposing its etymological and philosophical core: By pairing it with its constructed antonym (co-petition), competition is explicitly defined as 'petitioning against'. This strips it of any assumed natural or neutral status and reveals it as a mode fundamentally oriented toward exclusivity and exploitation of difference.
Creates a dialectical framework for process philosophy: It establishes a clear, dynamic tension between two primary modes of engagement within the universal conference. This allows for analyzing all systems—biological, social, economic, ecological—through the lens of which mode is dominant and the consequences thereof.
Makes a normative ethical claim intrinsic to the description: The characterization builds a value judgment into the ontology. If co-petition 'embraces difference' and leads to mutual emancipation, while competition 'rejects difference' and is 'antithetical to existence' long-term, then the framework implicitly argues that flourishing and sustainability are aligned with co-petitive modes.
Offers a diagnostic tool for systems analysis: Any institution, relationship, or ecosystem can be examined by asking: Is the conference here primarily co-petitive or competitive? This helps identify root causes of conflict, stagnation, or exploitation versus those of resilience and mutual benefit.
Reconceptualizes conflict and opposition: Not all conflict is mere 'competition'. Within a co-petitive framework, conflict can be seen as part of the 'petitioning together'—a necessary friction in the process of negotiating difference for mutual emancipation, distinct from a struggle aimed at annihilation or domination.
Emphasizes mutuality as an active process: 'Emancipation in mutuality' is not a passive state but an active achievement of the co-petitive process. This philosophically grounds concepts like symbiosis, mutual aid, and justice as active, ongoing modes of being rather than ideal endpoints.
Clarifies the teleological stakes of choice: The framework posits a long-term trajectory: co-petition supports sustainable existence; competition undermines it. This provides a philosophical basis for arguing that choosing cooperative forms is not merely 'nicer' but existentially wiser, aligning action with the conditions for continued being.
Generates a precise vocabulary for interdisciplinary discourse: The neologisms (co-petition, conference of difference) create a distinct terminological toolkit. This allows for applying this specific philosophical lens across fields—from biology to political science—without immediately collapsing into the often baggage-laden conventional terms.

Sources

Wiktionary

This definition follows morphological essentialism principles. See [[Methodology]] for details.