MaslowF: A Fractal Framework for Diagnosing Adaptive Complex Systems

This report introduces the Maslow Fractal (MaslowF), a comprehensive theoretical and diagnostic framework for adaptive complex systems. The central principle is simple yet powerful: each level of Maslow’s classic hierarchy is itself a full Maslow hierarchy - a “Maslow on Maslow.” In this fractalization, the pyramid is no longer linear or monolithic but recursive and systemic: every stage contains its own five sub-stages. The result is a "25-string harp" model, where each string corresponds to a distinct sub-need or subsystem. This structure enables the precise localization of dysfunctions - the “dissonant strings” - across scales, from individuals and teams to organizations, nations, processes, and global institutions. The report presents the conceptual foundation, detailed case studies, and methodological implications, positioning Maslow^F as both a theoretical advance and a practical diagnostic tool. By mapping maturity and systemic health at both levels and sub-levels, Maslow^F offers a universal framework that bridges psychology, management, governance, and complexity science.
The empirical applications of MaslowF presented here were conducted with the support of the Pareto Cube analytical framework, described in detail in a separate publication (10.5281/zenodo.16899115).