Underlying Assumptions of Several Traditions in Systems Science

Eric B. Dent, Ph.D.University of North Carolina, Pembroke

ASC 2005

http://www.uncp.edu/home/dente

PremiseSystems science is not a unified field Systems science is not a unified field

because different systems science because different systems science traditions are making different traditions are making different philosophical assumptions. Systems philosophical assumptions. Systems thinking is more a practical than a thinking is more a practical than a theoretical approach which doesn’t theoretical approach which doesn’t naturally surface philosophical naturally surface philosophical assumptions. assumptions.

Philosophical Assumptionsself-organization

observation

causality

reflexivity

environment

relationships

holism

determinism

ReductionismReductionism HolismHolism

L+L+ R+R+

L-L- R-R-

Emerging Worldview Assumptions as Polarities

Problem Solving

dissolve, not solve, problems

problems can’t be isolated

no “tiger” teams, regular course of things

mess management - continuous balancing and navigating of complex, interrelated messes, not problems

Communication is accurate translation (info exchange)

Linear, objective, reductionistThe primary (exclusive?) focus is on the words

spokenCommunication can be divided into segments

of dialogueCoding and decoding of message is possibleCommunication segments are unidirectionalCommunication is cumulative (linear progress)

Communication is about relationship (developing trust)

Mutually causal, perspectival, holisticPrimary focus is on the authenticity of

expressionCommunication is the whole package-

context, intent, nonverbal, verbal, etc.Communication is appropriate self-disclosureSeek first to understand- discover the context

of any communication expressed

Systems Science Traditions

Operations research (systems analysis)

Cybernetics

Total Quality Management

Organizational Learning

General Systems Theory

System Dynamics

Method: Sources Examined

OR - Handbook of Systems Analysis

Cyb - The Tree of Knowledge

TQM - 4th Generation Management

OL - Organizational Learning II

GST - General Systems Theory

SD - The Electronic Oracle

hol unit env caus refl detr obs sOr

OR yes yes yes yes no yes no no

TQM yes yes yes yes yes no no no

OL yes yes yes yes yes no yes no

Cyb yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

SD yes yes yes yes no no no no

GST yes yes yes yes yes yes no no

Related PapersDent, E. B. (2005) The Observation, inquiry, and measurement challenges surfaced by complexity theory. In K. Richardson (Ed.), Managing the Complex: Philosophy, Theory and Practice. Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishers.

Dent, E. B. (2001). "Systems science traditions: Differing philosophical assumptions,” Systems: Journal of Transdisciplinary Systems Science. 6(1-2), 13-30.

Dent, Eric B. (1999). ”Complexity science: A worldview shift,” Emergence: A Journal of Complexity Issues in Organizations and Management. 1(4), 5-19.

Umpleby, Stuart A. and Eric B. Dent (1999). "The Origins and purposes of several traditions in systems theory and cybernetics," Cybernetics and Systems: An International Journal, 30(2), 79-103.