General Systems Theory: Its Past and Potential (original) (raw)
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Syst Res Behav Sci. 2019;1–4., 2019
The excellent article of Tramonti follows a previous one from the same author, issuing the legacy of Gregory Bateson and suggesting an “ecology of psychotherapy”. It is concerned with another fundamental contributor to systems theory, Ludwig von Bertalanffy, and provides a sound basis for continued discussion of von Bertalanffy's general systems theory (GST). To encourage further research, this note is meant to initiate a discussion about a concept of elements that fundamentally differs from the one underpinned in GST and as also hypostasized in the Tramonti article. KEYWORDS emergence, general system theory, identity, individual systems theory, individuality, polycentric grid, potentiality, temporality
SYSTEMS THEORY AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
Systems Theory and the Philosophy of Science, 1978
In this paper we discuss the status of systems theory. We start the discussion by making some remarks about matters of status. Then the development of a critical rationalist philosophy of science is dealt with. We emphasize the role of metaphysics. First Popper's falsificationism and Lakatos' methodology of scientific research programmes are briefly reviewed, followed by our own view, which has been influenced by Watkins' ideas of metaphysical research programmes. In the remaining paragraphs Bunge's view of models and methods is described and criticized ; the relations between systems theory, mathematics and metaphysics are elaborated; and some recent approaches to systems theory are considered. In the concluding remarks we will try to point out some problems which remain to be solved in the methodology and philosophy of science in relation to systems theory.
On the Possibility of General Systems Theory Star (GST*): Universal Concrete Systems Theory
General Schemas Theory Star (GST*) is proposed by David Rousseau as a new initiative in General Systems Research to find Universal Concrete Principles of Systematology. This paper explores the necessary conditions for the possibility of such principles, and suggests what they might be like given the fact that they are at this point unknown. This paper applies Category Theory in order to understand what these Principles might be. This paper finds that these princples exist between the Ontological hierarchy of Schemas and the Ontic Emergent Hierarchy of non-reducible entities that Science finds in existence and that this intermediary position may be the basis for Special Systems emergence.
Footprints of General Systems Theory
Systems Research and Behavioral Science
In order to identify General Systems Theory (GST) or at least have a fuzzy idea of what it might look like, we shall look for its traces on different systems. We shall try to identify such an "animal" by its "footprints". First we mention some natural and artificial systems relevant for our search, than note the work of other people within cybernetics and identification of systems, and after that we are focused on what unification of different systems approaches and scientific disciplines should take into account (and whether or not it is possible). Axioms and principles are mentioned as an illustration of how to look for GST*. A related but still separate section is about Len Troncale and linkage propositions. After them there is another overview of different kinds of systems (life, consciousness, and physics). The documentary film Dangerous Knowledge and ideas of its characters Georg Cantor, Ludwig Boltzmann, Kurt Gödel, and Alan Turing are analyzed through systems worldview. "Patterns all the way down" and similar ideas by different authors are elaborated and followed by a section on Daniel Dennett's approach to real patterns. Two following sections are dedicated to Brian Josephson (a structural theory of everything) and Sunny Auyang. After that the author writes about cosmogony, archetypes, myths, and dogmas. The paper ends with a candidate for GST*.
Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 2019
Von Bertalanffy's General System Theory represents in a streamlined way most of his career, the key ideas he developed, the most important applications, and developments in a variety of fields. We as editors believe that the book, the man, and their influence deserve attention and renewed praise. Not only because of their historical value, past contributions to the formation of systems theory, complexity theory, and other fields but also because von Bertalanffy's theory of open systems can still contribute to a myriad of disciplines and, importantly, to discussions crossing disciplinary lines, from climate change to mental health. Indeed, the twisted and often obscured genealogies of systems theories and the disciplines borrowing from them suggest all too easily that the theory of open systems is passé, without much relevance. The contributors to this special issue wholeheartedly disagree and believe General System Theory has been systematically underrated and misunderstood.
Kybernetes, 2013
Purpose -The paper aims to present the main perspectives and conclusions of a doctoral research in the history and philosophy of science conducted in France and Austria by the author on the project of "general systemology" (or "general system theory") instigated by Ludwig von Bertalanffy. Design/methodology/approach -A genealogical enquiry accounts for its scientific, philosophical and more generally cultural origins. Its genesis in Bertalanffy's works between 1926 and 1944 is explained. The process that led it to become a collective project is then discussed: the history of the Society for General Systems Research is considered, the ambivalence of its role with regard to general systemology being demonstrated. Finally, the unity of the diverse contributions to the latter's development is asserted in a framework put forward by the author in order to account for its structure and functions. Findings -While stating a comprehensive view of its history, the paper characterizes general systemology as the project of a general science of systemic interpretation of the "real" which remains topical, although it was never fully actualized. Originality/value -A new insight is thus provided on the scope and meaning of this hermeneutics: it meets the contemporary need for a better understanding of the foundations of systems research.
Theory of Systems, Systems Metaphysics and Neoplatonism
American Journal of Systems and Software, 2015
Science has been developed from the rational-empirical methods, having as a consequence, the representation of existing phenomena without understanding the root causes. The question which currently has is the sense of the being, and in a simplified way, one can say that the dogmatic religion lead to misinterpretations, the empirical sciences contain the exact rational representations of phenomena. Thus, Science has been able to get rid of the dogmatic religion. The project for the sciences of being looks to return to reality its essential foundations; under the plan of theory of systems necessarily involves a search for the meaning of Reality.