2322. The Philosophical Foundations of Systems Thinking
Invited abstract in session WB-50: Systems Thinking 4, stream Systems Thinking.
Wednesday, 10:30-12:00Room: Parkinson B11
Authors (first author is the speaker)
| 1. | Graeme Forbes
|
| University of Kent/University of Johannesburg |
Abstract
Systems thinking has a rich philosophical pedigree. Norbert Wiener, Stafford Beer, Peter Checkland, John Mingers, Mike Jackson, Russell Ackoff and C. West Churchman each brought impressive philosophical literacy to their work in operational research (and/or cybernetics). In this talk I consider the various philosophical currents out of which systems thinking emerges including American Pragmatism, Phenomenology, and the holist and atomist strands of early Analytic Philosophy. The themes that are relevant to systems thinking will include holism, interconnectedness, emergence, feedback, boundaries, complexity and pluralism. This will be addressed in turn. I will conclude by considering developments in contemporary anglophone philosophy which make it ripe for engagement with operational researchers working now, such as interest in ‘social ontology’, ‘formal social epistemology’, philosophy of science, philosophy of action and the contemporary revival of virtue ethics.
Keywords
- Soft OR
- OR History
- Ethics
Status: accepted
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