Jon-Arild Johannessen

Systemic Thinking-Volume 2 Jon-Arild Johannessen

The subject to be examined in chapter 1 is the following one: How can we study value systems from a systemic angle of incidence? It is the philosophy developed by Bunge through his treatise on basic philosophy which will constitute the basis for this chapter. First we will develop a conceptual model for the value system, consisting of the following entities: Well-being, needs and wishes, values, moral codes and action. Then we will discuss each element of the model from a systemic angle of incidence. The ethical norm expressed in the chapter is referred to as systemic principle of balance and can be expressed in the following way: The well-being of those most subject to suffering in the social system should be given number one priority, despite the fact that well-being of the majority will deteriorate as a result of this priority. Our topic for discussion in chapter 2 is: What is the foundation for the philosophy of social science for systemic thinking? Our aim in writing this chapter has been the wish to help social scientists who study social systems from a systemic point of view. We will be discussing systemic thinking in relation to the naturalistic and the antinaturalistic position in the philosophy of social science. It is to position systemic thinking this chapter has as its main purpose, and this is also the contribution of the chapter. The purpose is also to facilitate the work of researchers studying problems/phenomena in social systems from a systemic point of view. In chapter 3 we will use systemic thinking for the purpose of criticizing neoclassical utility theory.