Ewart R. Carson - Böcker

Contents 11. 2. 2. Four Main Areas of Dispute 247 11. 2. 3. Summary . . . 248 11. 3. Making Sense of the Issues . . 248 11. 3. 1. Introduction . . . . 248 11. 3. 2. The Scientific Approach 248 11. 3. 3. Science and Matters of Society . 249 11. 3. 4. Summary . 251 11. 4. Tying It All Together . . . . 251 11. 4. 1. Introduction . . . . 251 11. 4. 2. A Unifying Framework 251 11. 4. 3. Critical Systems Thinking 253 11. 4. 4. Summary 254 11. 5. Conclusion 254 Questions . . . 255 REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Chapter One SYSTEMS Origin and Evolution, Terms and Concepts 1. 1. INTRODUCTION We start this book with Theme A (see Figure P. I in the Preface), which aims to develop an essential and fundamental understanding of systems science. So, what is systems science? When asked to explain what systems science is all about, many systems scientists are confronted with a rather daunting task. The discipline tends to be presented and understood in a fragmented way and very few people hold an overview understanding of the subject matter, while also having sufficient in-depth competence in many and broad-ranging subject areas where the ideas are used. Indeed, it was precisely this difficulty that identified the need for a comprehensive well-documented account such as is presented here in Dealing with Complexity.

The Second Edition features expanded coverage of progress in systems science, focusing on the field's overall structure and its components - including systems terms and concepts, complexity, measurements, and principles. The text offers a framework for understanding the underlying theory of systems science to assist decision makers in resolving a wide range of real-world problems in their fields. Revised and expanded chapters cover the origins and evolution of systems science and incorporate different perspectives on complexity. Various approaches to problem solving in the natural and social sciences are described, including the systematic view model and model decomposition. The book also presents clear and coherent accounts of systems intervention, critical systems thinking, and quantification of systems science. Philosophical issues in systems science are comprehensively covered, with discussion on such topics as ontology, epistemology, and methodology.Other features of the Second Edition include: case studies focusing on the application of the viable system model, methodology application, and theory building; a list of thought-provoking questions for each chapter to assist educators; an introduction to critical systems thinking; a chapter on model decomposition; and various approaches to problem solving, including systems intervention.