1. Underlying Assumptions of Several Traditions in Systems Science Eric B. Dent, Ph.D. University of North Carolina, Pembroke ASC 2005 http://www.uncp.edu/home/dente

2. Premise Systems science is not a unified field because different systems science traditions are making different philosophical assumptions. Systems thinking is more a practical than a theoretical approach which doesn’t naturally surface philosophical assumptions.

3. Philosophical Assumptions self-organization observation causality reflexivity environment relationships holism determinism

4. ReductionismHolismL+R+ L-R- Emerging Worldview Assumptions as Polarities

10. Problem Solving dissolve, not solve, problems problems can’t be isolated no “tiger” teams, regular course of things mess management - continuous balancing and navigating of complex, interrelated messes, not problems

11. Communication is accurate translation (info exchange) Linear, objective, reductionist The primary (exclusive?) focus is on the words spoken Communication can be divided into segments of dialogue Coding and decoding of message is possible Communication segments are unidirectional Communication is cumulative (linear progress)

12. Communication is about relationship (developing trust) Mutually causal, perspectival, holistic Primary focus is on the authenticity of expression Communication is the whole package- context, intent, nonverbal, verbal, etc. Communication is appropriate self- disclosure Seek first to understand- discover the context of any communication expressed

13. Systems Science Traditions Operations research (systems analysis) Cybernetics Total Quality Management Organizational Learning General Systems Theory System Dynamics

14. Method: Sources Examined OR - Handbook of Systems Analysis Cyb - The Tree of Knowledge TQM - 4th Generation Management OL - Organizational Learning II GST - General Systems Theory SD - The Electronic Oracle

16. Related Papers Dent, E. B. (2005) The Observation, inquiry, and measurement challenges surfaced by complexity theory. In K. Richardson (Ed.), Managing the Complex: Philosophy, Theory and Practice. Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishers. Dent, E. B. (2001). "Systems science traditions: Differing philosophical assumptions,” Systems: Journal of Transdisciplinary Systems Science. 6(1-2), 13-30. Dent, Eric B. (1999). ”Complexity science: A worldview shift,” Emergence: A Journal of Complexity Issues in Organizations and Management. 1(4), 5-19. Umpleby, Stuart A. and Eric B. Dent (1999). "The Origins and purposes of several traditions in systems theory and cybernetics," Cybernetics and Systems: An International Journal, 30(2), 79-103.