HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO 'SYSTEMS THEORY' (original) (raw)
Related papers
Are the Universal Patterns of Systems Thinking Embodied in Physical Form
International Journal of Systems and Society, 2013
Historically, because systems thinking is at its core about the relationship between ontological and epistemological phenomena, one of the fundamental problems of systems thinking has been the perceived dualism between mind and body. Any universal theory of systems thinking, therefore , must demonstrate a resolution to this problem. This paper provides the formal logic for the embodied basis for the four universal patterns of systems thinking.
A SHORT COURSE OF THE SYSTEM THEORY OF THINKING, 2019
Abstract The theory of thinking presented in this work is based on axioms, equally fair (isomorphic) to all levels of reality. The axiom of the binding a priori algo-rithm (the existence of programmes of any action, process prior to the beginning of the process or action) allowed to postulate the basic, constructive function of art: the function of creation of all regularities of the noosphere, all cognitive pro-cess programmes of emergence of concepts, judgments, conclusions. According to the theory, consciousness only reflects in the form of insight, in verbal format, the result of subconscious interaction of a problem (question) with art systems. Art is the only civilizational institution that creates all the designs, all the regular-ities of the noosphere. For making creative decisions (a new, previously non-existent product of thinking), the inner thinking of the subject, in addition to the verbal monologue-dialogue, should have a mental mechanism of operating the el-ements and systems of art. A single thought, defined in the theory of thinking as a trichotomy of kinaesthetics, figuratively-emotional pattern and sign-information symbol, is isomorphic both to the way of existence of a work of art and to thinking as a holistic system. This unity, which is positioned as the foun-dation and way of existence of society in the theory of thinking, allows to predict a positive change of national mentality by introducing the didactics of creativity into the learning process, which can only be achieved with activities in the arts. Keywords: system thinking, art, creativity, subconsciousness, insight.
A consciousness spectrum is presented that attempts to resolve the riddle of mind and matter, by defining the thought process as at once intuitive and rational; reducing spirit into form, and subsequently, the procedure
On the role of general system theory in the cognitive process
The cognitive process of an open goal-seeking system can be analyzed in terms of its interaction with its environment. From the point of view of the system, this interaction means the appearance of problem situations. Some of these problem situations become actual problems to be solved by the system and others do not. Therefore the cognitive process can be analyzed in terms of the functioning of a complex problem-solving system, i.e., the cognitive process is a complicated problem-solving process which anticipates the sequential solution of problems that require various kinds of problem-solving systems. The purpose of the present study is to describe the various problem types and to analyze the requirements of their individual adequate problem-solving systems. The role that the General Systems Theory (GST) plays in the working of the individual solving systems will be analyzed here. 1. Problem-solving The functioning of an open, goal-seeking system can be analyzed in terms of its interaction with its environment. The environment of a system is here understood to be a universe that, being a logical system, can be regarded as a set of statements. The environment therefore acts on the system via statements. Depending on the corpus of knowledge embodied in the system, a statement may be comprehensible or incomprehensible. Statements of the latter kind are what we call problems 1. Some statements represent marginal cases; that is, although they are not understood by the system, they are potentially comprehensible to it. These we can call actualizable problems. The development of the system is related precisely to these: if it draws on this potentiality of problem-solving which results in understanding such a statement, then its corpus of knowledge will be extended, while its level of knowledge, which separates the comprehensible from the incomprehensible, will be raised, and thereby newer problems will be brought into a position where they are potentially capable of being solved. The knowledge of a system concerning its universe appears in the form of statements formulated in a
Routledge eBooks, 2021
Background The idea of 'systems' has been discussed in almost all disciplines since its origin in the 17th century including physics, biology and chemistry, and was eventually used for explanations in ecology, engineering, economics, anthropology, geography, sociology, cybernetics and so on. It has emerged as a meta-discipline and as a metalanguage (Checkland & Scholes, 1999). Using the idea of systems, Checkland (1981 to date) provides the seminal work on 'systems-thinking'. 'Systems-thinking' is about consciously organised thinking processes (Arnold & Wade, 2015; Checkland, 1981). Systems-thinking is a world view which allows appreciation of holistic systems, having interconnections between the elements of which systems-thinking is made of, called system-components. This includes human and non-human elements of the system, encompassing physical, natural, social, economic, cultural and cognitive attributes, established in the form of the wider, linked processes between the users (human) and technologies or structures (non-human) of the system (Clegg, 2000). These system-components contribute to properties such as drivers, outcomes and feedbacks, and can be applied to problems of multiple disciplines (Cerar, 2012; Forrester, 1994; Voinov & Farley, 2007). As a core concept, systemsthinking is an idea of the 'adaptive whole'. As a whole, a system has its own emergent properties, layered structure and processes of communication and control (Arnold & Wade, 2015; Checkland, 1981). Systems-thinking involves several principles, which on their own are looked upon as disciplines of systems-thinking. Anderson and Johnson (1997) provide the basic principles of systems-thinking: 1 The 'Big Picture' principle demands widening one's perspective to find a more effective solution (e.g. in stressful times, one tends to focus on the immediate, most pressing problem and this perceives only the effects of changes elsewhere in the system). Therefore, one should step back to look at the bigger picture and investigate the source of the problem, which would more likely identify a more effective solution. 2 The 'Long Term, Short Term' principle suggests that the best approach to strike a balance about any decision is to consider short-term (e.g., a week, a quarter, a year) and long-term
Concepts of Systems Thinking-SEBoK
2021
The concepts below have been synthesized from a number of sources, which are themselves summaries of concepts from other authors. Ackoff (1971) proposed a system of system concepts as part of general system theory (GST); Skyttner (2001) describes the main GST concepts from a number of systems science authors; Flood and Carlson (1993) give a description of concepts as an overview of systems thinking; Hitchins (2007) relates the concepts to systems engineering practice; and Lawson (2010) describes a system of system concepts where systems are categorized according to fundamental concepts, types, topologies, focus, complexity, and roles.
The process of thought forming and the mechanic of intuition
There are several theories that try to explain the formation of thoughts, mainly based on observing the physical parts of a human being, i.e. brain, nervous system, cells and the electromagnetic fields surrounding them. The Authors propose a brand new approach about conscious and unconscious thoughts formation processes, that comprehend both our physical and non-physical bodies, their fields (matrixes) and the forming principles. This process was derived combining a congruent number of channeled information. Its consistency and validity was proven through several experimental sessions with groups. In the " Group Thought Shifting " experiments, between 80% and 90% of the people responded according to the prediction. The dissertation is based upon the existence of both physical and non-physical bodies and their related fields, all constituting the human being. Anatomy, features and functions of these constituents are briefly described in the article, limited to the scope of the thought formation.
The Four Waves of Systems Thinking
The Handbook of Systems Thinking, 2023
This Handbook is about the past, present, and future of systems thinking. It captures the history of systems thinking over its first three ‘waves,’ which are thought of as significant paradigmatic time periods in the history of the field. It then introduces a (possible) emerging fourth wave. Herein, we review the first three waves, as they have been written about in depth before, and dedicate more space to describing the fourth wave, as this is likely to be new to many readers. We cover all four waves as an entree to the many chapters, which were both recommended by an International Advisory Board (listed and thanked in the front material of this book), and written by esteemed invited authors. These chapters aptly describe the various frameworks that characterize the different waves; and notably include how those frameworks have continued to evolve since their origin.
Thinking Deeply Part 05: Nondual Thoughts
2019
Nondual Thoughts concerning Special Systems and the Emergent Meta-system -- Abstract: Thinking through Special Systems Theory which leads to the definition of the Emergent Meta-system and gives us a basis for distinguishing Design Thinking from Conceptual Thinking. -- Key Words: Thinking, Philosophy, Special Systems, Emergent Meta-system, Nondual, Design Science, Design Thinking, Emptiness, Void, Existence, Interpenetration, Buddhism, Taoism, DzogChen.
Systems intelligence: Connecting engineering thinking with human sensitivity
Systems intelligence in …, 2007
Intelligence is a new concept that is highly useful for understanding human behaviour in complex interactive settings, and in concrete efforts to generate change. We suggest that Systems Intelligence is something we apply as humans instinctively. Systems Intelligence combines engineering thinking with human sensitivity and thus serves as a foundation for a down-to-earth pragmatic philosophy of life of optimism and change. number of other forms of holistic thinking and of the human sciences as well as certain forms of therapeutic thinking, positive psychology and situation analysis (Bateson 2000;. A major source of inspiration is also the Socratic tradition in philosophy which emphasises conceptual thinking for the purposes of the good life (Hadot 1987 and. The reader is referred to the related literature to learn the historical roots of each of the ideas. Here we shall give a programmatic sketch of a new approach to understand human intelligence in a systems setting which is built on ideas described below.