What is... Systems Thinking?
General Systems Theory (GST), arising out of the biological sciences, attempts to map general principles for how all systems work, especially living systems. Instead of examining phenomena by attempting to break things down into component parts, GST explores phenomena in terms of dynamic patterns of relationship. This shift in focus–from things frozen in time to dynamic, ever-changing relationships–underlies systems thinking.
Systems Thinking Reading List
Macy, Joanna. Mutual Causality in Buddhism and General Systems Theory: The Dharma of Living Systems. SUNY, 1991.
An exploration of the convergent perspective on causality of Buddhist teachings and the systems view of reality, this book offers an introduction to both schools of thought and the context they provide for personal and social transformation. Chapters 4 & 5 describe clearly and concisely the basic “invariants” of how living systems work.
Laszlo, Ervin. Introduction to Systems Philosophy. Toward a New Paradigm of Contemporary Thought, New York: Gordon & Breach, 1972.
Laszlo is an influential pioneer in systems thinking and philosophy; this book remains one of the best primers in the basics. See also his A Systems View of the World.
LaConte, Ellen. Life Rules. New Society Publishers, 2012.
Ellen LaConte suggests great unravelings and great turnings have occurred several times in past millennia, many of them before humans appeared on Earth, which she calls “Critical Mass.” Each time Critical Mass has been reached, living systems have self-organized through trial and error to find new ways to function and survive. Understanding those life lessons can guide us humans through our current “Critical Mass” crisis, brought on by the global capitalist economy gone viral.
Meadows, Donella. Thinking in Systems. Diana Wright, editor. Chelsea Green, 2008.
“Dana Meadows taught a generation of students, friends, and colleagues the art and science of thinking beyond conventional boundaries. For her systems thinking included the expected things like recognizing patterns, connections, leverage points, feedback loops and also the human qualities of judgment, foresight, and kindness. She was a teacher with insight and heart. This long anticipated book, the distillation of her life’s work, is a gem.”
—David Orr, Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics, Oberlin College
Sahtouris, Elisabet. Earthdance: Living Systems In Evolution. iUniverse.com, 2000.
A wonderfully fascinating journey through the history of EarthLife (biological evolution) and then through the history of humanity to see how we humans have seen ourselves in relation to our living planet and what that means for us now. Will we learn from Nature’s amazing four billion years of experience in creating healthy living systems to give ourselves the future of which we dream?
Charlton, Noel G. Understanding Gregory Bateson: Mind, Beauty, and the Sacred Earth. SUNY, 2008.
“This is a publishing event of the first order: an incomparably lucid exploration of Bateson’s unique insights into the nature of mind and of the living Earth. Charlton’s book, both elegant and accessible, sheds new light on Bateson’s revolutionary relevance to our time.” (Joanna Macy)
Bateson, Gregory. Steps to an Ecology of Mind: Collected Essays in Anthropology, Psychiatry, Evolution, and Epistomology. University of Chicago Press, 2000.
This classic collection of Bateson’s brilliant essays is not for the faint of heart and is best consumed in small bites, preferably in a discussion group with other explorers. It is rather like a sacred text for ecological understanding. Although Bateson does not directly address systems thinking, his insights have many ramifications for the field. See especially these chapters: “The Cybernetics of ‘Self’: A Theory of Alcoholism;” “Effects of Conscious Purpose on Human Adaptation;” “Form, Substance, and Difference;” “Pathologies of Epistemology;” “The Roots of Ecological Crisis.”
[Charlton’s book, listed above, provides an excellent introduction to and overview of Bateson’s work.]