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EDC1015 Assignment 2

Unique number 801459

4/3/2018

55981593

EDC1015 Assignment 2 April 3, 2018 55981593

1

Systems theory also called social systems theory; it is the study of society as a complex

arrangement of elements, including individuals and their beliefs, as they relate to a whole

(e.g. a country). The method of inquiry in philosophy that is concerned with the nature of

systems and their effects is referred to as systems theory. Critical theory is a social theory

oriented toward critiquing and changing society as a whole. Critical theories aim to dig

beneath the surface of social life and uncover the assumptions that keep us from a full and

true understanding of how the world works.

Systems theory perceives the nature of systems by seeing things as a whole and suggests

things work better by not splitting them into parts. It also encourages us to keep the

objective of a system in mind. According to systems theory we should approach any

problem by asking ourselves the following questions; where does the system fit into the

total environment? , how do the components of the system fit together? what helps the

system to work? , what prevents it from working more efficiently? And what is the goal of

the system? All systems have inputs which are taken and turned into outputs. Systems

absorb and generate some form of energy and they work in a certain order. The advantages

of this theory are that it is a simple philosophy in the sense that everything can be described

as a system with a function. It encourages openness and can be applied to observe anything

and everything, revealing blind spots in peoples thinking.

A form of systems theory that helps us understand ourselves is identified by Ken Wilber was

concerned with whether empirical science could be harmonised with religion. This lead to a

‘’theory of everything’’. The key to Wilber’s thought is his rejection of all forms of

fragmentation and his conviction that we need a pattern that connects. Wilber brings all

philosophies and all religions into one schema.

A famous systems theorist was Ludwig Von Bertalanffy, a biologist who concluded that living

organisms had to be studied as wholes and not split up into parts. His theory that took years

to develop claimed that everything had to be studied as a system.

Critical theory is the method of inquiry in philosophy that radically questions existing social,

political and economic systems. Critical theorists have a lot to say about power structures in

society and their influence on society. Critical theory helps us to realistically assess power

and identify those who have power and those who do not. They say that all forms of

domination stop people from being free. Critical theorists believe that all of us are trapped

by modern society and that all societies have inequalities of wealth and status. Critical

theory wants us to critically reflect on society. Critical theory aids with reassessing our lives

and our priorities.

The French philosopher Michel Foucault, observed how the shape of power changes. His

concern focused by the power of institutions such as schools, churches and big businesses.

His claim suggested that by enforcing these rules and regulations that people had to follow,

institutions force people into being artificial. But that is only the beginning of it, because all

EDC1015 Assignment 2 April 3, 2018 55981593

2

organisations and institutions do not stop at this. They invade our very selves, by forcing us

to see life and to live life in a certain way.

Credo Mutwa an African Zulu shaman is the official storyteller and keeper of the Zulu people

in South Africa. He has made a pledge to expose what is happening in the world and who is

responsible for it. He feels that our lives are being taken over and we have no choice but to

see life and live in a certain way. We are forced to do things in this manner and are not free

to pursue your own way.

I feel the system theory is better suited and has more advantages, such as it is a simply

philosophy in the sense that everything can be described as a system with a function. It

encourages openness and it can be applied to observe anything and everything. A systems

theory does not set out to reform the world yet its questioning approach often reveals

inconsistencies. It practices disciplined thinking and encourages logical analysis.

Bibliography

Rethinking our world Philip Higgs & Jane Smith 4th edition

Theoretical frameworks in education only study guide for EDC1015 University of

South Africa, Pretoria.