Integral Theory is:

• An emergent academic field conceived by the contemporary philosopher & author KenWilber*, which has been gradually developed for more than two decades in conjunction with scholars and researchers from several several universities, academic and non-academic fields.

• A trans-disciplinary framework that has a broad, deep, and integrative approach which allows integral practitioners and researchers to cover multiple facets, dimensions and perspectives of reality.
  
  
• Based on the fact that "reality" is a result of the interdependence of various co-arising and complementary aspects, which are skillfuly categorized in the AQAL Model, also known by IOS - Integral Operating System.
  
  
• A framework can be applied into any area of study and several kinds of practical applications, such as philosophy, psychology, psychotherapy, spirituality, medicine, sustainability, politics, business, arts, entertainment, and... video games!
  
  
• Currently divided in various sub-fields or frameworks, such as: Integral Medicine, Integral Business, Integral Entertainment, Integral Art, Integral Politics, Integral Sustainability, Integral Ecology, Integral Research, Integral Spirituality, Integral Psychology, Integral Life Practice, Integral Play, and many others.

Figure: Integral Theory and AQAL diagrams from Integral Institute, 2003

Follow below a definition of the Integral Model (AQAL) by two leading integral researchers, Gwen Gordon, M.A. & Sean Esbjörn-Hargens, PhD (2007):

"In a world characterized by disciplinary turf wars and clashes between traditional, modern, and postmodern perspectives, Wilber has written extensively on the value of, and need for, an Integral approach and has played an important role in establishing Integral Theory, a postdisciplinary framework for today's complex world … There are five elements that comprise an Integral approach: quadrants, levels, lines, states, and types. These five components, referred to by the acronym AQAL … represent the intrinsic perspectives that occur at all scales and in all contexts".

Figure: Recent books by Ken Wilber (KenWilber.com, 2008)

* Ken Wilber is the founder of the Integral Institute, including the emergent academic fields of Integral Theory and Integral Psychology, among many others. Having already written more than 25 books now published in more than 30 languages, Wilber is today “the most translated academic author [in consciousness studies] and arguably the most systematic comprehensive contemporary philosophical thinker” (Marquis, 2008, p. xiii). Wilber also participated with philosophical commentaries in conjunction with Dr. Cornel West in The Matrix Triology movies, from the Ultimate Matrix Collection DVDs (Warner, 2004).