Systems Thinking and How it Affects Your Life

Systems Thinking born out of Biology —with a focus on the interconnection, interrelation, and interdependence of the elements that form an integrated unified whole (holistic) that achieves a purpose or function.  Systems Thinking puts a new emphasis on complexity, networks, and patterns of organization in living systems. It involves a new kind of thinking—taking a holistic view of our biologically, cognitive sociological, and ecological systems and how they affect our everyday lives.

Ø The elements/components of any system may vary—there’re not necessarily tangible, they can be intangible (cultural traits, educational prowess, a sense of community pride, etc.) depending upon the system, whether it be biological, sociological, ecological, or cognitive

Ø All Systems maintain organized networks that take on patterns that produce their own holistic structural and behavioral properties that have a purpose or function; structure determines what behaviors are latent within the system

Ø The whole is greater than the sum of its parts!  Systems Thinking requires a paradigm shift in your thinking (metanoia)—from seeing individual objects or parts to recognizing the patterns in the network of relationships