The systemic method is a practical and theoretical approach that considers any phenomenon as a whole system. In terms of its effects, a system can be larger than the sum of its parts if it expresses synergy. A change in one part of the system usually affects its other components and itself, together with predictable patterns of behavior. For systems that are self-learning and self-tuning, positive growth and adaptation depend on how well they are tuned to the environment. Some systems work primarily to support others, helping maintain another system to prevent it from crashing.
Targets and goals
The purpose of the systematic research method is to consistently detect the dynamics of the system, its limitations, conditions and explaining principles (purpose, measure, methods, tools, etc.). In this case, a system is understood to mean any phenomenon. This method is used both in the natural sciences and in the humanities. In the exact sciences, it has long been considered the fundamental norm.
General theory of systems
The general theory of systems concerns widely applicable concepts and principles, in contrast to concepts and principles applicable to one field of knowledge. It distinguishes between dynamic or active systems from static or passive. Active systems are structures of activity or components that interact in behavior and processes. Passive systems are the structures and components that are processed. For example, a program is passive when it is a disk file and active when it runs in memory. This principle is associated with systems thinking and systems design.
The term "general theory of systems" comes from the general theory of Bertalanffy (GST). His ideas were accepted by others, including Kenneth E. Boulding, William Ross Ashby and Anatoly Rapoport, working in mathematics, psychology, biology, game theory, and social media analysis. This is the basis of the system analysis method. Exact sciences are impossible without it.
Sociology
The systematic method of scientific knowledge was introduced into sociology at the dawn of the emergence of this science, in the 19th century. From the very beginning, social sciences have been an important part of the development of this type of thinking and scientific knowledge. Comprehensive sociological system models that were proposed by Talcott Parsons from the 1950s and Nicholas Lumann from the 1970s were very popular in academia. We are talking about the theory of action of Parsons and the theory of social systems of Luman. Since the object of the study of sociology is a human society, they began to consider it as a single complex structure.
Various sciences
Modern forms of this method have appeared in different fields, for example, the work of biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy, linguist Bela H. Banati, sociologist Tolcott Parsons, ecologists Howard T. Odum, Eugene Odum and Fridzhof Kapra. Other good examples of a systematic method are Peter Senge's organizational theory of management; interdisciplinary research in areas such as Human Resource Development from Richard A. Swanson; ideas from educators such as Deborah Hammond and Alfonso Montuori.
As a transdisciplinary, interdisciplinary and multi-perspective field, systems theory combines principles and concepts from ontology, philosophy of science, physics, computer science, biology and technology, as well as geography, sociology, political science, psychotherapy (as part of family therapy) and economics. The system-wide scientific method thus serves as a bridge for interdisciplinary dialogue between autonomous fields of knowledge.
Value
In this regard, with the possibility of misinterpretation, von Bertalanffy believed that the general theory of systems should be an important regulatory device in science in order to protect it from superficial theories that are useless in science and harmful in their practical consequences. Others remain closer to the concepts of direct systems developed by original theorists. For example, Ilya Prigogine from the Center for Complex Quantum Systems at the University of Texas at Austin, studied new properties and suggested that they offer analogues for natural structures in living nature. Theories of autopoiesis by Francisco Varela and Umberto Maturana represent further developments in this field. Important names in modern systems science include Russell Ackoff, Rosen Baji, Bela H. Banati, Gregory Bateson, Peter Beckland, Barbara Gross, Brian Wilson, Robert L. Flood, Allenna Leonard, Radhiki Nagpala, Fridzhof Kapra, Warren McKullough, Carren McCullough Michael C. Jackson, Katya Sikar, Edgar Morin and others.
In German science
“Theorist” (or Lehre), like Wissenschaft, has a much broader meaning in German than the closest Russian words “theory” and “science”. These ideas relate to the organized volume of knowledge and any systematically represented set of concepts, whether they are empirical, axiomatic or philosophical, and many associate this concept with theory and science in the etymology of general systems. Its closest equivalent is the word training. Although the idea of considering the object as a system in German science could lose many of its root meanings during the translation of the word in question, which predetermined a new way of thinking about science and scientific paradigms. This word has become a widespread term used, for example, to describe the interdependence of relationships created in organizations.
Psychology
The system in this science may contain regularly interacting or interconnected groups of actions. For example, noting the influence in organizational psychology, as it evolved from an individually oriented to a structural, practical science, some theorists recognize that organizations have complex social systems. Separating parts from the whole reduces the overall effectiveness of organizations. Since the object of study of this type of psychology is group and organization, it partially overlaps with sociology. This distinguishes its traditional psychological models, which focus on individuals, structures, departments and divisions, partially separated from the whole (i.e. from society), instead of recognizing the interdependence between groups of people, structures and processes that allow the organization to function .
Pedagogy
Similar ideas are found in theories of learning, which develop from the same fundamental concepts, emphasizing how the understanding of individual parts leads to an understanding of the actions of a whole group. In fact, Bertalanffy's organismic psychology is parallel to Jean Piaget's theory of instruction. Some argue that interdisciplinary perspectives are critical in isolation from models of age and thinking. The modern work of Peter Senge discusses in detail the generally accepted criticism of educational systems based on traditional assumptions about learning, including problems with fragmented knowledge and the difference between holistic learning and “machine thinking”, which has become a “model” for all schools. Thus, some system theorists are trying to derive alternative and developed ideas from orthodox theories that are based on classical assumptions, including people like Max Weber and Emil Durkheim in sociology, and Frederick Winslow Taylor in the philosophy of science. Theorists searched for holistic methods, developing concepts, the subject of study of which would be different systems.
Further development of theories
The emphasis with the theory of systems is shifting from the parts "on their own" to the ways of organizing them, recognizing their interactions as non-stationary and constant, but dynamic processes. Some combined conventional closed systems with the development of prospects for their open counterparts. This shift has occurred from absolute and universal authoritative principles and knowledge, to relative and general conceptual and perceptual knowledge and remains in the tradition of theorists who sought to provide funds for the organization of human life. In other words, theorists rethought the previous history of ideas; they have not lost them. The systemic method is a universal tool that also allows you to rethink obsolete theories, concepts, and ideas.
Biology
Systems biology is a special branch of biology that is based on several research trends in this area. Its proponents describe this discipline as a field of bi-based multidisciplinary research that focuses on complex interactions in biological systems, claiming that it uses a new perspective (holism instead of reductionism). In particular, since 2000, biosciences have used this term quite widely and in various contexts. The often stated ambition of systems biology is the modeling and detection of emerging properties that represent the properties of structures and allow them to be correctly and consistently described. It is believed that Ludwig von Bertalanffy may have coined the term in 1928.
Ecology
Systemic ecology is an interdisciplinary field of ecology, a subset of Earth science that takes an integrated approach to the study of ecosystems. This science can be regarded as an application of the general theory of systems to ecology. This approach is based on the idea that an ecosystem has a complex structure that demonstrates conflicting properties. This area of knowledge focuses on interactions and transactions within and between biological and ecological systems, and is particularly related to how human intervention can influence their functioning. She uses and extends the concepts of thermodynamics and develops other macroscopic descriptions of complex structures within the framework of ecology.
Engineering
In modern engineering, it is an interdisciplinary approach and a means for implementing and implementing successful systems. It can be considered as the application of technical methods for the design of systems, as well as the application of a structural approach to engineering efforts. Systems Engineering combines other disciplines and specialized groups in a collective effort, forming a structured development process that runs from concept to production to operation and disposal. Systems Engineering considers both the business and the technical needs of all customers in order to provide a quality product that meets the needs of consumers.
Structural psychology
Structural psychology is a branch of psychology that studies human behavior and experience in complex structures. The foundations of a systems approach in this branch of psychology stem from the theoretical work of Roger Barker, Grigory Bateson, Umberto Maturana and other illustrious scientists. It implies an approach in psychology in which groups and individuals are considered as systems in homeostasis. Structural psychology includes the field of engineering psychology, but, moreover, is more interested in social systems and the study of motivational, affective, cognitive and group behavior, which is also widely studied in engineering psychology. In structural psychology, characteristics of organizational behavior, for example, individual needs, rewards, expectations, and attributes of people interacting with systems, are considered as an important and interesting process. The systemic method is the basis of structural psychology.
Cybernetics
The topic of cybernetics became popular at the end of the 19th century, which led to the publication of a number of thematic works - for example, “Wiener Cybernetics” in 1948 and “General Theory of Systems” by von Bertalanffy in 1968. Cybernetics originated more from engineering fields and biology. Both sciences may have mutually complemented each other, exerting a much greater influence on the emerging cybernetics. In order to start implementing the theories of the first cybernetics, it was necessary to understand how an object can be considered as a system.
Von Bertalanffy specifically makes a distinction between areas, noting the influence of cybernetics. In his most famous work, mentioned above, the theory of systems is identified with cybernetics and control theory. Now it is believed that this is not entirely true. Cybernetics as a theory of control mechanisms in technology and nature, based on the concepts of information and feedback, is part of the general theory of systems. This model has wide application, but should not be identified with the structure of the system as a whole.
Jackson also claims that von Bertalanffy was informed of the three-volume tectology of Alexander Bogdanov, published in Russia between 1912 and 1917, and translated into German in 1928. He also states that the conceptual part of General System Theory (GST) was first introduced by Bogdanov. A similar position is held by German scientists working in this scientific field. However, Ludwig von Bertalanffy did not even mention Bogdanov in his works. Nevertheless, the method of system analysis underlying cybernetics was first developed precisely by our compatriot.