Systems theory

Systems theory or systemics is an interdisciplinary field which studies relationships of systems as a whole. Modern systems theory was founded by Ludwig von Bertalanffy, William Ross Ashby and others between the 1940s and the 1970s on principles from philosophy, physics, biology and engineering and later grew into numerous fields including philosophy, sociology, organizational theory, management, psychotherapy (within family systems therapy) and economics among others. Cybernetics is a closely related field. In recent times complex systems has increasingly been used as a synonym.

Overview

Systems theory focuses on complexity and interdependence of relationships. A system is composed of regularly interacting or interdependent groups of activities/parts that form the emergent whole.

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Part of systems theory, system dynamics is a method for understanding the dynamic behavior of complex systems. The basis of the method is the recognition that the structure of any system -- the many circular, interlocking, sometimes time-delayed relationships among its components -- is often just as important in determining its behavior as the individual components themselves. Examples are chaos theory and social dynamics.

Related Topics:
System dynamics - Chaos theory - Social dynamics

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Systems theory has also been developed within sociology. The most notable scientist in this area is Niklas Luhmann (see Luhmann 1994).

Related Topics:
Sociology - Niklas Luhmann

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The systems framework is also fundamental to organizational theory as organizations are dynamic living entities that are goal-oriented. The systems approach to organizations relies heavily upon achieving negative entropy through openness and feedback.

Related Topics:
Organizational theory - Organization - Negative entropy - Openness - Feedback

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In recent years, the field of systems thinking has been developed to provide techniques for studying systems in holistic ways to supplement more traditional reductionistic methods. In this more recent tradition, systems theory is considered by some as a humanistic extension of the natural sciences.

Related Topics:
Systems thinking - Holistic - Reductionistic - Humanistic - Natural science

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General systems theory as an objective of Systemics

Early systems theorists aimed at finding a General systems theory that could explain all systems in all fields of science. The term goes back to Bertalanffys basic work 'General Systems Theory'. Sociologists like Niklas Luhmann also worked towards a general systems theory, but as of today no systems theory can live up to this claim. However, there are general system principles which are found in all systems. For example, every system is an interaction of elements manifesting as a whole.

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