Abstract
The aim of this chapter is to explore a number of possible interpretations of its title, ‘Liberating Systems Theory’ (‘LST’). Each of these selected meanings represents a theme, or a strand of study, that will be developed in one of the following chapters. Particular points of focus are:
-
(a)
Strand 1, the liberation of systems theory from a natural tendency toward self-imposed insularity (L’sT’);
-
(b)
Strand 2, the liberation of systems concepts from objectivist or subjectivist delusions (L’sT’);
-
(c)
Strand 3, the liberation of systems theory from internalized localized subjugations of discourse, (L’sT’);
-
(d)
Strand 4, systems theory for emancipation in response to domination and subjugation in work and social situations (‘LS’T); but in broader terms the book as a whole is concerned with
-
(e)
The liberation of systems theory in the sense of more cognitive illumination for the reader or prospective researcher or practitioner (‘LS’).
A general conception and two specific conceptions of Liberating Systems Theory. Four strands of study. An overview of the argument of the book
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Notes
The importance of tensions generated by the scholars of union are similar to those which arise when optimistic and pessimistic perceptions of the world rub against each other. If we are exclusively optimistic, if we are privileged enough, we might assume that the world offers aesthetic pleasures on a grand scale, as with the ‘grace of the wildcats’ for example. Or we may indulge in human fancifulness and tease our five senses. These are the seeds of decadence and a perception of a world where we would be deaf to the screams of the pessimists, who see only pain and suffering as beast (wildcat, say) devours beast (antelope, say) and who watch mankind in true animalistic clothing degrade and destroy all (Zola, 1962, constructed a similar view about human relationships in terms of Naturalism). In the first case there is naivity like the Structuralists’ in the sense of a sham on meaning, in the last case there is despair as with the skeptics, where all is lost. Together there is a synergy of ‘hope tempered by fear’, of ‘fear overcome by hope’. It is with such tensions that Liberating Systems Theory operates.
Relevant to this debate is Burrell’s (1988) caution that concepts like modernity are frequently defined in incompatible ways.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1990 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Flood, R.L. (1990). Liberating Systems Theory. In: Liberating Systems Theory. Contemporary Systems Thinking. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2477-3_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-2477-3_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-2479-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-2477-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive