The document discusses the implications of general system theory, emphasizing the need for a new way of thinking to address complex global challenges that transcend the capacities of existing social systems. It introduces concepts such as self-organization, humane systems design, and integrativism, advocating for an evolutionary perspective on system interactions and transitions. Ultimately, it calls for a transformation towards a global sustainable information society to effectively navigate the complexities faced by humanity.

1. Facing Complexity: General System Theory
15 – 17 May 2013
Curso de Extensión: Pensamiento sistémico abierto: en la encrucijada de un mundo complejo
Universidad de León
Wolfgang Hofkirchner
Associate Professor, Vienna University of Technology
President, Bertalanffy Center for the Study of Systems Science (www.bcsss.org)
President Elect, International Society for Information Studies (www.is4is.org)

2. Contents
1 A new way of thinking: thinking in complexity
1.1 Global challenges
1.2 Integrativism
1.3 Ludwig von Bertalanffy's General System Theory (GST)
1.4 Science
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
3 A new design of the future: humane systems design
3.1 Evolutionary systems stage model
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
3.3 World system transition

3. 1 A new way of thinking: thinking in complexity

4. 1.1 Global challenges

5. 1.1 Global challenges
global challenges
= challenges that

6. 1.1 Global challenges
global challenges
= challenges that
(1) affect (the survival of) all humanity (objective factor) and

7. 1.1 Global challenges
global challenges
= challenges that
(1) affect (the survival of) all humanity (objective factor) and
(2) can successfully be treated only by humanity as a whole
(subjective factor)

8. 1.1 Global challenges

9. 1.1 Global challenges
global challenges are complex challenges:

10. 1.1 Global challenges
global challenges are complex challenges:
their complexity exceeds the problem-solving capacity of any
currently existing social system – complexity needs to be reduced
in order to enable the system to cope with the challenges*: by
establishing a meta-level

11. 1.1 Global challenges
global challenges are complex challenges:
their complexity exceeds the problem-solving capacity of any
currently existing social system – complexity needs to be reduced
in order to enable the system to cope with the challenges*: by
establishing a meta-level
*) Ross W. Ashby: a system needs to have at least the same variety
as another system to be able to steer that system; Niklas Luhmann:
a system needs to reduce the complexity of another system to be
able to steer that system

12. 1.2 Integrativism

13. ways of
thinking
reductionism
projectivism
disjunctivism
integrativism
relationship between
lower and higher complexity
relationship between
identity and difference;
unification or diversification
reduces higher complexity to
lower complexity
identity without difference
projects higher complexity onto
lower complexity identity without difference
disjoins higher complexity from
lower complexity difference without identity
integrates lower with higher
complexity and differentiates
between them unity of identity and difference
1.2 Integrativism

14. ways of
thinking
reductionism
projectivism
disjunctivism
integrativism
relationship between
lower and higher complexity
relationship between
identity and difference;
unification or diversification
reduces higher complexity to
lower complexity
identity without difference
projects higher complexity onto
lower complexity identity without difference
disjoins higher complexity from
lower complexity difference without identity
integrates lower with higher
complexity and differentiates
between them unity of identity and difference
1.2 Integrativism

15. ways of
thinking
reductionism
projectivism
disjunctivism
integrativism
relationship between
lower and higher complexity
relationship between
identity and difference;
unification or diversification
reduces higher complexity to
lower complexity
identity without difference
projects higher complexity onto
lower complexity identity without difference
disjoins higher complexity from
lower complexity difference without identity
integrates lower with higher
complexity and differentiates
between them unity of identity and difference
1.2 Integrativism

16. ways of
thinking
reductionism
projectivism
disjunctivism
integrativism
relationship between
lower and higher complexity
relationship between
identity and difference;
unification or diversification
reduces higher complexity to
lower complexity
identity without difference
projects higher complexity onto
lower complexity identity without difference
disjoins higher complexity from
lower complexity difference without identity
integrates lower with higher
complexity and differentiates
between them unity of identity and difference
1.2 Integrativism

17. ways of
thinking
reductionism
projectivism
disjunctivism
integrativism
relationship between
lower and higher complexity
relationship between
identity and difference;
unification or diversification
reduces higher complexity to
lower complexity
identity without difference
projects higher complexity onto
lower complexity identity without difference
disjoins higher complexity from
lower complexity difference without identity
integrates lower with higher
complexity and differentiates
between them unity of identity and difference
1.2 Integrativism

18. 1.3 Ludwig von Bertalanffy's General System Theory
sublation of mechanicism (physicalism) and vitalism (metaphysics)
theory of universal principles applying to real-world systems
irrespective of their physical, biotic or social nature

19. 1.3.1 Epistemology
•mathematical terms or natural language, if the first option is not
possible
•anti-reductionism and anti-projectivism: neither physicalism nor
biologism
•models mirror only certain traits ("perspectivism")

20. 1.3.2 Ontology
•differentiation and integration (principle of progressive organisation
– "anamorphosis")
•the concept of wholeness: maintenance of the organisation through
change of components
•superposition of many levels

21. 1.3.3 Ethics
•humanistic concerns about global challenges: history's irrationality
and bestiality is to be ascribed to socio-cultural systems but not
individuals

22. 1.4 Science
philosophy
real-world sciences
natural sciences
(physics incl. cosmology,
chemistry, biology, part of
psychology, etc.)
formal
sciences
(logics,
mathe-
matics)
social and
human
sciences
general
specific
engineering,
applied or
technological
sciences as
well as arts
(e.g.
computer
and
information
science)

23. 1.4 Science
philosophy
real-world sciences
natural sciences
(physics incl. cosmology,
chemistry, biology, part of
psychology, etc.)
formal
sciences
(logics,
mathe-
matics)
social and
human
sciences
general
specific
engineering,
applied or
technological
sciences as
well as arts
(e.g.
computer
and
information
science)
science of contemporary society

24. 1.4 Science
philosophy
real-world sciences
natural sciences
(physics incl. cosmology,
chemistry, biology, part of
psychology, etc.)
formal
sciences
(logics,
mathe-
matics)
social and
human
sciences
general
specific
engineering,
applied or
technological
sciences as
well as arts
(e.g.
computer
and
information
science)
science of contemporary society
General
System
Theory

25. systems
philosophy
formal
systems
science
(methodo-
logy)
science of
real-world systems
general
specific
science of
artificial
systems
design
science of the
world system in statu nascendi
1.4 Science

26. systems
philosophy
formal
systems
science
(methodo-
logy)
science of
real-world systems
science of
material
(physi-
cal)
systems
science of
living
(biotic)
systems
science of
human
(social)
systems
general
specific
science of
artificial
systems
design
science of the
world system in statu nascendi
1.4 Science

27. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation

28. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
self-organisation =def.
spontaneous build-up/maintenance of order in matter (in nature, in
and between real-world systems)

29. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
self-organisation =def.
spontaneous build-up/maintenance of order in matter (in nature, in
and between real-world systems)
puzzle: entropy law S>0 (growing disorder)
vs. life (growing order)?

30. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
self-organisation =def.
spontaneous build-up/maintenance of order in matter (in nature, in
and between real-world systems)
puzzle: entropy law S>0 (growing disorder)
vs. life (growing order)?
solution: open systems
(merger of systems theory and evolutionary theory)

31. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents
Metasystem transition 1:
individual phase

32. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents
Metasystem transition 1:
individual phase

33. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
Metasystem transition 2:
interactional phase

34. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
Metasystem transition 2:
interactional phase

35. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
Metasystem transition 3:
integrative phase

36. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
generate
structure
organisational
relations
Metasystem transition 3:
integrative phase

37. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
(microlevel)
system organisational
relations
(macrolevel)
generate
structure
Metasystem transition 3:
integrative phase

38. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
(microlevel)
constrain and
enable
system organisational
relations
(macrolevel)
generate
structure
Metasystem transition 3:
integrative phase

39. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
(microlevel)
constrain and
enable
system organisational
relations
(macrolevel)
generate
emergence
dominance
structure
Metasystem transition 3:
integrative phase
self-
organisation

40. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
(microlevel)
constrain and
enable
organisational
relations
(macrolevel)
generate
emergence
dominance
structure
Suprasystem 1:
reproduction
system
self-
organisation

41. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
(microlevel)
constrain and
enable
organisational
relations
(macrolevel)
generate
emergence
dominance
structure
Suprasystem 1:
reproduction
system
self-
organisation

42. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
(microlevel)
constrain and
enable
organisational
relations
(macrolevel)
generate
emergence
dominance
structure
Suprasystem 1:
reproduction
system
self-
organisation

43. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
(microlevel)
constrain and
enable
organisational
relations
(macrolevel)
generate
emergence
dominance
structure
system
self-
organisation
Suprasystem 1:
reproduction

44. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
(microlevel)
constrain and
enable
organisational
relations
(macrolevel)
generate
emergence
dominance
structure
system
self-
organisation
Suprasystem 2:
transformation

45. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
(microlevel)
constrain and
enable
organisational
relations
(macrolevel)
generate
emergence
dominance
structure
system
self-
organisation
Suprasystem 2:
transformation

46. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
(microlevel)
constrain and
enable
organisational
relations
(macrolevel)
generate
emergence
dominance
structure
system
self-
organisation
Suprasystem 2:
transformation

47. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
(microlevel)
constrain and
enable
organisational
relations
(macrolevel)
generate
emergence
dominance
structure
system
self-
organisation
Suprasystem 2:
transformation

48. 2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
(microlevel)
constrain and
enable
organisational
relations
(macrolevel)
generate
emergence
dominance
structure
system
self-
organisation
Suprasystem 2:
transformation

49. 3 A new design for the future: humane systems design

50. 3.1 Evolutionary systems stage model

51. 3.1 Evolutionary systems stage model
systems n
levels
phases

52. 3.1 Evolutionary systems stage model
systems n
phase n phase n+1
levels
phases
meta-/suprasystem n+1
space of
possibilities n
complexification
emergence from a necessary condition

53. 3.1 Evolutionary systems stage model
systems n
phase n phase n+1
level n+1
level n
levels
phases
meta-/suprasystem n+1
space of
possibilities n
complexification
new organisational relations
elements n+1
emergence from a necessary condition
downwardcausation
through
higher-orderstructure

54. 3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism

55. 3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
Strict determinism
t

56. 3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
space of
possibility
(there is only one option)
space of
impossibilities
Strict determinism
space of
impossibilitiest

57. 3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
space of
possibility
(there is only one option)
space of
impossibilities
space of
impossibilitiest

58. 3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
t

59. (empty space of
impossibilities)
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
all-embracing space of
possibilities
(everything is possible)
Indeterminism
t

60. (empty space of
impossibilities)
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
all-embracing space of
possibilities
(everything is possible)
t

61. (empty space of
impossibilities)
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
all-embracing space of
possibilities
(everything is possible)
t

62. (empty space of
impossibilities)
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
all-embracing space of
possibilities
(everything is possible)
t
Less-
than-strict
determinism

63. 3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
Less-
than-strict
determinism
t

64. 3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
Less-
than-strict
determinism
space of possibilities
space of
impossibilities
t

65. 3.3 World system transition
Historical situations
as points of
bifurcation
space of possibilities
space of
impossibilities
t

66. 3.3 World system transition
The Great Bifurcation
space of possibilities
space of
impossibilities
today

67. 3.3 World system transition
The Great Bifurcation
amplified
fluctuations
(=crisis)
space of possibilities
space of
impossibilities
today

68. 3.3 World system transition
The Great Bifurcation
amplified
fluctuations
(=crisis)
regulated financial capitalism
space of possibilities
space of
impossibilities
today

69. 3.3 World system transition
The Great Bifurcation
amplified
fluctuations
(=crisis)
mastering the global challenges:
Global Sustainable Information
Society (GSIS)
social systems falling apart:
exterminism, barbarism
regulated financial capitalism
space of possibilities
space of
impossibilities
today