The February 2006 course can be found at:

http://h2o.law.harvard.edu/ViewProject.do?projectID=438

 The course text is

von Bertalanffy, Ludwig (1969). General System Theory, New York: George Braziller.

What is GST?

General Systems Theory is arranged around the concept of "sets of elements standing in interrelations."

 Ludwig von Bertalanffy (1968) General Systems Theory, New York: George Braziller.

General Systems Theory (GST) is applicable to all of the arts and sciences. How? The principle is one of classification. One classifies up one level from a given area. For example, from Physics (the atom) one could classify up one level to whole systems then drop down one level into Biology (the cell). One might find that general principles apply to both the atom and the cell. Discoveries about atoms can be applied to cells. The trick is to have an exact definition of the word "general." From there, one finds general theory. An example of a general theory, for example in Physics, is Einstein's general theory of relativity. Using the whole systems concept from General Systems Theory, would observations in physics about relativity be applicable to Biology? Apparently it works. Once explained, General Systems Theory seems obvious. The idea of whole systems, by-the-way, is one of several hundred General Systems principles that can be applied accross the board. Eric J. Lindblom PhD http://elindblom.bravehost.com

Lindblom

Eric J. Lindblom PhD

Harvard University

 My opinion about reality is that it can be detected from the moment the present begins to a second point where we superimpose filters, ask researchable questions and begin Aristotelian analysis. Let's say reality begins as the present begins (and where the past leaves off). In my general theory (GST2), there is a linear time-line continuum from that beginning point of the present to what I call the Point of the Question. Prior to the question, objective reality can be discovered! Once the question is asked (for example What is happening here?) then people are in subjective mode and objectivity is gone. The way I break the continuum into arbitrary sections (using the Joyce technique of "artistic arrest") is to borrow a concept from Bela A. Banathy PhD where the stages in the continuum are discovery, construction and systems thinking. To fit that into my schema, the beginning of the present is the beginning of discovery mode (hypothesis) and the Point of the Question begins the construction (method) and thereafter an analysis begins representing the systems mode (data gathering and analysis). My concept I am calling General Systems Theory Squared or simply GST2. In that theory (GST2), I begin with a linear look (the time-line continuum) and expand from there into four or more dimensions (4D+) of non-linearity and relativity! As general systems thinking, the GST2 Analysis works well and is enjoyable.

Eric J. Lindblom PhD, Harvard University