Dealing with Complexity: An Introduction to the Theory and Application of Systems Science / Edition 2

by Robert L. Flood, Ewart R. Carson

Overview

Contents 11. 2. 2. Four Main Areas of Dispute 247 11. 2. 3. Summary . . . 248 11. 3. Making Sense of the Issues . . 248 11. 3. 1. Introduction . . . . 248 11. 3. 2. The Scientific Approach 248 11. 3. 3. Science and Matters of Society . 249 11. 3. 4. Summary . 251 11. 4. Tying It All Together . . . . 251 11. 4. 1. Introduction . . . . 251 11. 4. 2. A Unifying Framework 251 11. 4. 3. Critical Systems Thinking 253 11. 4. 4. Summary 254 11. 5. Conclusion 254 Questions . . . 255 REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267 Chapter One SYSTEMS Origin and Evolution, Terms and Concepts 1. 1. INTRODUCTION We start this book with Theme A (see Figure P. I in the Preface), which aims to develop an essential and fundamental understanding of systems science. So, what is systems science? When asked to explain what systems science is all about, many systems scientists are confronted with a rather daunting task. The discipline tends to be presented and understood in a fragmented way and very few people hold an overview understanding of the subject matter, while also having sufficient in-depth competence in many and broad-ranging subject areas where the ideas are used. Indeed, it was precisely this difficulty that identified the need for a comprehensive well-documented account such as is presented here in Dealing with Complexity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780306442995
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	03/31/1993
Series:	Language of Science Series
Edition description:	2nd ed. 1993
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.39(d)

Table of Contents

One. Systems: Origin and Evolution, Terms and Concepts.- Two. Systems and Complexity.- Three. Systems and Measurement.- Four. Systems and Modeling: Diagrams and System Identification.- Five. Systems View of Management and Organizations.- Six. Systems Approach to “Problem Solving”.- Seven. Systems Theory in International Relations.- Eight. Building Models of Dynamic Processes.- Nine. Quantitative Cybernetics.- Ten. System and Model Decomposition.- Eleven. Systems Science: Making Sense of the Philosophical Issues.- References.- References.

Editorial Reviews

A textbook for an introductory graduate or undergraduate course in systems sciences, deemphasizing the numerical aspects until the basic concepts are established. Updated from the 1988 edition to incorporate recent thinking and feedback from students and teachers. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

from a review of the first edition:
‘A good introduction to systems science ... suitable as an introductory text for students in systems science and related areas. ... The book is well written and the text is supplemented with useful figures.'
International Journal for General Systems

From the Publisher