Hi Jon,
It depends whom do you ask about systems thinking. Phenomenologists and
hermeneutic scholars will simply tell you -- don't bother me with that.
From particular paradigmatic positions, system thinking is very
mechanistic, reductionists, and worst of all -- positivistically bended. It
is the greatest achievement of the industrial age and still persists at the
time of current information systems. However, if it can make a
dissertation, why not use it.
Best,
Lubomir
At 09:27 AM 12/5/2003 -0700, you wrote:
>I have heard it said (mostly anecdotally) that the systems approach generally
>and more specifically systems thinking, were to some degree and in some
>fashion, influenced by the political and philosophical climate of the Cold
>War.
>
>This has been characterized as a bad thing. I am trying to get an
>understanding of the line of reasoning for this position. I am also trying to
>understand the implications--the "So What?" factor: If it is a valid position
>what are/were the negative effects upon systems thinking?
>
>Specifically, I am looking for:
>
>1) References to writings that articulate this (or a similar) point of view
>2) Thoughts and comments about the Cold War roots to systems theory and
>systems thinking
>
>Thanks,
>
>Jon Nelson
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