Systems Philosophy and Applications*
A Bibliography

Compiler: W. Huitt, Valdosta, GA
Last revised: December 2007
*All annotations are from Amazon.com

Citation: Huitt, W. (2007). Systems philosophy and applications: A bibliography. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved [date], from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/materials/sysphil.html

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Books--General

• Arshinov, V., & Fuchs, C. (Eds.). (2003). Causality, emergence, and self-organization. Moscow. NIA-Priroda. Retrieved May 2007, from http://www.self-organization.org/results/book/EmergenceCausalitySelf-Organisation.pdf
• Axlerod, R. (1997). The complexity of cooperation. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
  Robert Axelrod is widely known for his groundbreaking work in game theory and complexity theory. He is a leader in applying computer modeling to social science problems. His book ‘The Evolution of Cooperation’ has been hailed as a seminal contribution and has been translated into eight languages since its initial publication. The ‘Complexity of Cooperation’ is a sequel to that landmark book. It collects seven essays, originally published in a broad range of journals, and adds an extensive new introduction to the collection, along with new prefaces to each essay and a useful new appendix of additional resources. Written in Axelrod’s acclaimed, accessible style, this collection serves as an introductory text on complexity theory and computer modeling in the social sciences and as an overview of the current state of the art in the field.
• Capra, F. (1988). The turning point: Science, society, and the rising culture. New York: Bantam Press.
• Capra, F. (1991). The tao of physics: An exploration of the parallels between modern physics and eastern mysticism. New York: Shambhala.
• Capra, F. (1996). The web of life: A new scientific understanding of living systems. New York: Anchor Books.
  During the past twenty-five years, scientists have challenged conventional views of evolution and the organization of living systems and have developed new theories with revolutionary philosophical and social implications. Fritjof Capra has been at the forefront of this revolution. In The Web of Life, Capra offers a brilliant synthesis of such recent scientific breakthroughs as the theory of complexity, Gaia theory, chaos theory, and other explanations of the properties of organisms, social systems, and ecosystems. Capra’s surprising findings stand in stark contrast to accepted paradigms of mechanism and Darwinism and provide an extraordinary new foundation for ecological policies that will allow us to build and sustain communities without diminishing the opportunities for future generations.
• Gleick, J. (1988). Chaos: Making a new science. New York: Penguin.
  James Gleick explains the theories behind the fascinating new science called chaos. Alongside relativity and quantum mechanics, it is being hailed as the twentieth century’s third revolution.
• Goertzel, B. (1996). Unification of science and spirit: Hyperrealism. Retrieved December 2007, from http://goertzel.org/books/spirit/contents.htm 
• Holland, J., & Mimnaugh, H. (Ed.). (1996). Hidden order: How adaptation builds complexity. New York: Perseus Press.
• Kauffman, S. (1996). At home in the universe: The search for laws of self-organization and complexity. New York: Oxford University Press.
  According to MacArthur fellow Kauffman (Santa Fe Institute), "[T]he order of the biological world...is not merely tinkered, but arises naturally and spontaneously because of underlying principles of self- organization." These principles may be employed to analyze all manner of highly-involved patterns, from molecular biology, the rise and fall of corporations, to the intricate workings of government. Kauffman outlines the characteristics and potential uses of complexity, simply delineating its meaning for the future of scientific thought. For general readers.
• Kosko, B. (1993). Fuzzy thinking: The new science of fuzzy logic. New York: Hyperion.
  Fuzzy logic is a science and way of thinking which challenges ordinary mental habits and provides a changing, flowing world view which challenges cut and dry mental processes. Bart Kosko is a leader in the fuzzy logic way of thinking: his is an excellent and lively presentation that is even more compelling in audio form.
• Laszlo, E. (1996). The systems view of the world: A holistic vision for our time (Advances in systems theory, complexity, and the human sciences). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
• Lewin, R. (2000). Complexity: Life at the edge of chaos (2^nd ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
  Complexity theory holds that at the root of all complex systems lie a few simple rules that will yield a grand unification of the life sciences. Lewin personalizes a dramatic story of scientific discovery that includes explorations by such diverse scientists as Stephen Jay Gould, Edward O. Wilson, and James Lovelock.
• Peacocke, A. (1993). Theology for a scientific age: Being and becoming-Natural, divine and human (Theology and the Sciences). Minneapolis: Fortress Press.
• Savi, J. (1989). The eternal quest for God: The divine philosophy of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Oxford: George Ronald.
• Von Bertalanffy, L. (1976). General system theory: Foundations, development, applications (Rev. ed.). George Braziller.
• Waldrop, M. M. (1992). Complexity: The emerging science at the edge of order and chaos. New York: Simon & Schuster.
  A look at the rebellious thinkers who are challenging old ideas with insights into ways countless elements of complex systems interact to produce spontaneous order out of confusion discusses politics, economics, and biology.

Books—Applications

• Bronfenbrenner, U. (1981). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
• Briggs, J., Peat, F. D., & Peat, D. F. (1999). Seven life lessons of chaos: Timeless wisdom from the science of change. New York: HarperCollins.
  Briggs and Peat, whose Turbulent Mirror (1990) is one of the best popular books on the science of chaos (Briggs also wrote the lavish Fractals (1992) on chaos art), now gives us a book that introduces the major ideas of chaos and shows how they can be used metaphorically. For instance, sensitive dependence upon initial conditions, or the butterfly effect, is the phenomenon of a tiny action, when amplified throughout a system, having unexpectedly disproportionate effects. (It is called butterfly after the chaos theory canard that a butterfly flapping its wings in China can cause a thunderstorm or hurricane in New York.) Apply this to politics, say, and apparently small initiatives can produce enormous changes. Briggs and Peat are careful to differentiate between scientific fact and metaphor, unlike some popular but often inaccurate self-help writers. The combination of factual exactitude and imaginative application makes this the best book on chaos yet.
• Buzan, B., Little, R. (2000). International systems in world history: Remaking the study of international relations. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Harman, W. (1988). Global mind change: The promise of the 21st century. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
  Global Mind Change startles us into reconsidering the role of consciousness in major areas of human concern: science and education, spirituality and consciousness research, health and healing, psychology and psychotherapy, economics and management. Revolutions are generally thought of as large-scale, bloody upheavals involving whole countries and societies. But there are quieter revolutions that begin in the individual mind and create the kind of change that may be even more significant. By deliberately changing their internal image of reality, people are transforming the world. Right now we are living through one of the most fundamental shifts in history--a change in the actual belief structure of Western industrial society.
• Hoekstra, T., & Allen, T. (1993). Toward a unified ecology (Complexity in ecological systems series). New York: Columbia University Press.
  The authors present a conceptual framework for a more coherent view of ecology, showing how to link the various parts of ecology into a natural whole. Although abstract, the analysis is anchored in practice, emphasizing examples of what ecologists do and why they do it. For practicing and aspiring research ecologists and population biologists, as well as those in the management of wildlife and forests.
• Lashley, T. II, & Matczynski, T. (1997). Strategies for teaching in a diverse society: Instructional models. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co.
  This book focuses on a variety of ways to teach content material to students of all ages. The teaching models are ones that entail both direct and indirect teacher control of the learning material. In some cases teachers want students to construct their own schema, and in other instances the teacher wants students to acquire content understandings in a specific form...a form dictated by the teacher. This text shows teachers a variety of ways to communicate content and includes lots of theoretical knowledge and practical examples.
• Lewin, R., & Regine, B. (2000). The soul at work: Listen...respond...let go: Embracing complexity science for business success. New York: Simon & Schuster.
  The Soul at Work brings to businesspeople a new and powerful way of thinking about and working in the new economy, one that draws on the new science of complexity, which recognizes that business organizations are complex adaptive systems. The great contribution of prize-winning author Roger Lewin and developmental psychologist Birute Regine is to ground this science in organizational dynamics, in the interactions of people, and to show how leaders who embrace the principles of complexity science are developing highly innovative and adaptable organizations that are more likely to be successful in traditional financial bottom-line terms. Most important, as the old command-and-control style of management is relinquished in favor of a broader sharing of leadership, people in these organizations experience a greater sense of commitment to their work and to themselves in an atmosphere of genuine relationships and mutual respect. The authors explain how these transforming ideas are creating a more human-oriented and successful workplace, as revealed in the stories of a dozen actual companies of very different types and sizes.
• Masterpasqua, F., & Perna, P. (Eds.). (1997). The psychological meaning of chaos: Translating theory into practice. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
  The purpose of this book is to introduce mental health practitioners to the concepts of nonlinear dynamic systems theory that have become so important in the natural and physical sciences. In non-technical language, authors from various perspectives explain the meaning of chaos, complexity and self-organization for psychological practice. All of the authors share the belief that the perspective may well revolutionize the way we practice.
• Moen, P., Elder, G., Jr., & Luscher, K. (Eds.). Examining lives in context: Perspectives on the ecology of human development (APA Science Volumes). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
  Twenty-seven scholars discuss how the ecological theory and research of the developmentalist Urie Bronfenbrenner (Cornell U.) led them to focus their own work on problems crucial to "real life"--the rapidly changing world that often challenges researchers to design inquiries in dramatically new ways. Intended for students looking for an introduction to the theoretical approaches to ecological courses, and for established scholars interested in multilevel approaches to human development. Presented in five parts: the dynamics of individual development; historical and social time; the multiple contexts of human development; the importance of process; and reflections and new directions.
• Senge, P. (1990). The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization. New York: Currency/Doubleday.
• Senge, P., & Kleiner, A. (Eds.)., Roberts, C., Ross, R., & Smith, B. (1994). The fifth discipline fieldbook: Strategies and tools for building a learning organization. New York: Currency/Doubleday.
• Senge, P., Kleiner, A. (Ed.)., Roberts, C., Roth, G., Ross, R., & Smith, B. (1994). The dance of change: Mastering the twelve challenges to change in a learning organization. New York: Doubleday.
• Wheatley, M. (1999). Leadership and the new science: Discovering order in a chaotic world. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
  When Margaret J. Wheatley's Leadership and the New Science was initially published in 1992, it outlined an unquestionably unique but extremely challenging view of change, leadership, and the structure of groups. Many readers immediately embraced its cutting-edge perspective, but others just could not understand how the complicated scientific tenets it described could be used to reshape institutions. Now Wheatley, an organizational specialist who has since coauthored A Simpler Way, updates the original by including additional material (such as an epilogue addressing her personal experiences during the past decade) and reconstructing some of her more challenging concepts. The result is a much clearer work that first explores the implications of quantum physics on organizational practice, then investigates ways that biology and chemistry affect living systems, and finally focuses on chaos theory, the creation of a new order, and the manner that scientific principles affect leadership.
• White, C. D. (1998). Making a just peace: Human rights & domination systems. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
• Wilber, K. (1998). The marriage of sense and soul: Integrating science and religion. New York: Shambhala.
  The Marriage of Sense and Soul, a cognizant address of how to mend the rift between science and religion,is further proof that Ken Wilber is one of the most knowledgeable and clear-thinking individuals writing today. Like an experienced scout, Wilber has blazed a careful trail through the dense history surrounding religion and science, from the basic tenets of all religion and the foundations of science to the fundamental nature of our postmodern society: the differentiation of art, morals, and science. It is this capacity to differentiate that pits science and religion against one another, yet it ironically proves to be the door to a reconciliation between the camps. Wilber proposes that, without requiring drastic modification of the way either party perceives itself, science and religion can coexist within a single framework, each playing a different role, yet married in our quest to understand the universe. In the process, Wilber examines the work of many of the pivotal scientific discoveries since the Enlightenment, as well as some of the most influential thinkers of all time. Enough is here to perplex a tenured historian, yet his course is so clearly charted that the reader comes away from The Marriage of Sense and Soul not with confusion, but a feeling of completing a momentous and insightful journey.
• Wilber, K. (2000). Integral psychology: Conciousness, spirit, psychology, therapy. New York: Shambhala.
• Wolfe, R. W., & Gudorf, C. (Eds.). (1999). Ethics and world religions: Cross-cultural case studies. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.
  Provides case studies of ethical issues with commentary from representatives of world faith communities.
• Zimmerman, B., Linderg, C., & Plsek, P. (1998). Edgeware: Insights from complexity science for health care leaders. Irving, TX: VHA, Inc.

Complexity science reframes our view of many systems that are only partially understood by traditional scientific methods. Systems as apparently diverse as stock markets, human bodies, forest ecosystems, manufacturing businesses, immune systems, termite colonies and hospitals seem to share some patterns of behavior. These patterns provide insights into sustainability, viability, health and innovation. This book examines how leaders and managers in health care organizations are beginning to use complexity science to discover new ways of working.

Articles

• Bronfenbrenner, U. (1977). Toward an experimental ecology of human development. American Psychologist, 32, 513-530.
• Bronfenbrenner, U. (1989). Ecological systems theory. In R. Vasta (Ed.). Annals of child development, vol. 6 (pp. 187-251). Greenwich, CT: JAI.

Videos

• Worlds of childhood: Nature and nurture of development. Part I. No. 23. (46 minutes). Part II. No. 24. (46 minutes).

These videos look at what has been learned from resent research on human development, especially on the interaction of biology and environment as factors in development.

Other

• Abraham, R. (1994). Chaos, gaia, eros : A chaos pioneer uncovers the three great streams of history. San Fransico: Harper San Francisco.
  Chaos pioneer Ralph Abraham traces the history of consciousness through a rediscovery of three driving forces, chaos, gaia, and eros--the mind, body, and spirit of evolution. With startling originality and clarity of vision, Abraham employs photographs, timelines, charts, and an engaging format to sweep the reader along on a wild ride through the whole of history--blowing the doors off existing modes of thought.
• Arnoldi, M., Gearyh, C., & Hardin, K. (Eds.). (1996). African material culture (African systems of thought). Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.
  Fourteen interdisciplinary essays examine African societies and cultures through the examination of material objects and ceremonies representing African culture. This college-level, scholarly collection will best appeal to any school with an African studies program in place: chapters which consider technological style influences, identity construction, and issues of changing interpretations of African objects and artifacts provide in-depth analysis.

Internet Resources

• General systems theory and cybernetics
• Systems Dynamics + Systems Thinking Mega List by Günther Ossimitz, Universitat Klagenfurt
• The Complexity & Artificial Life Research Concept for Self-Organizing Systems (CALResCo)
• Video Clips from the Chaos Theory in Psychology and the Life Sciences Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 21, 2000.
• Additional links by Bill Huitt

Web-based Articles

Overview

• Boulding, K. E. (1956). General systems theory--the skeleton of science. Management Science, 2, 197-208. (Reprinted in E:CO, 6(1-2), 127-139. Retrieved April 2005, from http://www.emergence.org/ECO_site/web-content/ECO_6_1-2.html
• Hutchingson, J. (1981). Organization and process: Systems philosophy and Whiteheadian metaphysics. Process Studies, 11(4), 226-241. Retrieved April 2005, from http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2501
• Klein, J. (2004). Interdisciplinarity and complexity: An evolving relationship. E:CO, 6(1-2), 1-10. Retrieved April 2005, from http://www.emergence.org/ECO_site/ECO_Archive/Issue_6_1-2/Klein.pdf
• Morgan, P. (1995). Reconceiving the foundations of education: An ecological model. In F. Margonis (Ed.), Philosophy of education (Yearbook). Urbana-Champaign, IL: Philosophy of Education Society. Retrieved from http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/eps/pes-yearbook/96_docs/morgan_p.html
• Pearce, W. B. (2002). Systems: Schools of thought and traditions of practice. Redwood City, CA: Pearce Associates. Retrieved April 2005, from http://www.pearceassociates.com/essays/story_about_systems.pdf
• Pepper, S. C. (1926). Emergence. Journal of Philosophy, 23, 241-245. Retrieved January 2005, from http://csmaclab-www.uchicago.edu/philosophyProject/sellars/pepper/emerge.html

• Quantum Mechanics, Quantum Field Theory
   
  • Choi, H. (2001). Knowledge of the unseen: A new vision for science and religion dialogue. Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, 53(2), 96-101. Retrieved August 2007, from http://www.asa3.org/asa/PSCF/2001/PSCF6-01Choi.html
  • McFarlane, T. (2000). Quantum physics, depth psychology, and beyond. Eugene, OR: Center for Integral Science. Retrieved November 2007, from http://www.integralscience.org/psyche-physis.html
  • Sobottka, S. (2007, June). An interpretation of quantum theory according to monistic idealism (Chapter 7). A course in consciousness.  Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia. Retrieved August 2007, from http://faculty.virginia.edu/consciousness/new_page_11.htm
  • Stenger, V. (2001, Spring). Humanity in time and space. Free Inquiry, 21(2). Retrieved July 2007, from http://www.colorado.edu/philosophy/vstenger/RelSci/Humanity.pdf
     
• Process Philosophy
   
  • Alexander, S. (1911). Foundations and sketch-plan of a conational psychology. The British Journal of Psychology, IV. Retrieved April 2005, from http://www.hist-analytic.org/alexander_on_conational_psycholo.htm
  • Fleener, M. J., Smith, J., K., & Simpson, D. (2000). Philosophy and teacher education: Paradox or paradigm? Association for Process Philosophy in Education. Retrieved April 2005, from http://www.apped.org/fleener.pdf
  • Frankenberry, N. (1983). The emergent paradigm and divine causation. Process Studies, 13(3),  202-217. Retrieved December 1999, from http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2542
  • Gershman, K. (1988). To and fro: Education for the art of life. Process Studies, 17(4), 215-226. Retrieved April 2005, from http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2762
  • Rescher, N. (2002). Process philosophy. In E. Zalta (Ed.), The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved February 2005, from  http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/process-philosophy/.
  • Riffert, F. (1999). Towards a process-psychology: Convergencies between Whitehead and Piaget. Salzburger Beiträge zur Erziehungswissenschaft 2(2), 57-79. Retrieved January 2005, from  http://www.sbg.ac.at/erz/salzburger_beitraege/fruehling99/fr_1999_1.pdf
  • Sherburne, D. (1991). The process perspective as context for educational evaluation. Process Studies, 20(2), 78-85. Retrieved April 2005, from http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2823
     
• Whitehead's Philosophy
   
  • Brumbaugh, R. (1991). Why Whitehead?. Process Studies, 20(2), 72-77. Retrieved April 2005, from http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2821
  • Fan, M. (2004). The idea of integrated education: From the point of view of Whitehead’s philosophy of education. Paper presented at the Forum for Integrated Education and Educational Reform sponsored by the Council for Global Integrative Education, Santa Cruz, CA, October 28-30. Retrieved December 2004, from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/CGIE/fan.pdf
  • Nobo, J. (1974). Whitehead's principle of process. Process Studies, 4(4), 275-284. Retrieved April 2005, from http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2377
  • Nobo, J. (1998). The approach to Whitehead: Traditional? Genetic? or Systematic? Process Studies, 27(1-2), 48-63. Retrieved April 2004, from http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2872
  • Rose, P. (1992). Whitehead and the dualism of mind and nature. Process Philosophy, 21(4), 231-238. Retrieved April 2005, from http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2840

Systems Theory and Education

• David, J. (1994, September). Realizing the promise of technology: The need for systemic education reform. In: R. Anson (Ed.), Systemic Reform: Perspectives on Personalizing Education. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement.
• Fredriksen, J., & Collins, A. (1989). A systems approach to educational testing. Educational Researcher, 18(9), 27-32.
• Goodman, G., and others. (1989). The systems approach: An innovative model for improving the delivery of inservice training. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 12(3), 261-270.
• Howard, J., & Terry, R. (1997). A systems approach and instructional design principles: Two critical elements for effective WWW courseware development. Paper delivered at the North American Web Conference, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, October 4-7.
• Seel, R. (2000). Culture and complexity: New insights on organisational change. Organisations & People, 7(2).
• Wilson, B. (1996, Fall). Readings in technology and learning. Denver: School of Education, University of Colorado at Denver.

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