On "system"

histories and progressions of systems thinking (strand 3)

pp. 111-130

in: Robert L. Flood, Liberating systems theory, Berlin, Springer, 1990

Abstract

The question concerning the necessity of this chapter must arise since it is often stated that, universally, systems thinking is recognized as coming together 40 to 50 years ago. I shall contend that this view can be fundamentally challenged, as would be expected considering that a Foucaulvian notion of the development of knowledge underpins the reasoning of this thesis. Accordingly we shall reject the idea of one history and progression in systems thinking.