SIG: Systems Philosophy

Systems Philosophy Systems Philosophy Chair David Rousseau Other Organizers Secretary or other organizers Key Domains Key Domains Notable Achievements Notable Achievements Links External Links

The Systems Philosophy Special Integration Group was launched...

Focus of the Systems Philosophy SIG

Systems Philosophy is the philosophical component of Systemology, the transdisciplinary field concerned with the scientific interest in all kinds of systems. Systems Philosophy is one of the four major strands in Systemology, alongside Systems Science, Systems Engineering and Systems Practice. The central focus of Systems Philosophy is the search for a scientific worldview that could guide analysis and action in a complex systemic world, such we can attain the systemic values of justice, freedom, social welfare and environmental stewardship. This SIG provides a venue for developing and discussing ideas, strategies, frameworks, opportunities and challenges relevant to developing and applying effective systems philosophies. We address any of the traditional concerns of Systems Philosophy. The SIG on Systems Philosophy aims to stimulate and coordinate work on the philosophical underpinnings of systems worldviews, theories and methodologies, and thus contribute to the work needed to establish the systems perspective as a mainstream view, and hence for the potential of the systems perspective to be realized.

The Systems Philosophy SIG provides a forum where systemologists can discuss and develop ideas concerning: Systems terminology: the conceptual scope of terms needed to describe and explain the nature, behavior and potentials of systems; Systems worldviews: the kinds of philosophies (worldviews) that result from applying systems perspectives, including views on the kinds of systems that does or could exist in a concrete way, the kinds of knowledge we can have about systems, the systemic organization of the concrete world, the origin and evolution of kinds of systems, systemic perspectives on the nature of meanings, value, and purposes; and Applied systems philosophy: critical reflection using systemic approaches, the development of systemic transdisciplinarity, systems research addressing the ‘Big Questions’.

The SIG also focuses on the coherence of AR and other SIGs in the ISSS. The last focus was on the Critical Social Theory perspective that some action researchers share with Critical Systems Thinking.

Chairs, Members and Reading Materials

Reading Materials

Below are reading lists of seminal papers in AR as well as the latest publications in the field of AR from a systems thinking perspective:

Links to videos

Below are links to videos from discussion sessions attended by ISSS members discussing their use of AR.