underlying assumptions of several traditions in systems science eric b. dent, ph.d. university of...
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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.