Replying to LO29595 --
Dear Organlearners,
Tony Barrett <ambarrett@adelphia.net> writes:
>The problem I see with a systems model, or the viable
>system model, is deep down it is reductionistic. It limits
>how we see life or organizations as problems not as mysteries.
Greetings dear Tony,
Thank you for this thoughtful comment. I feel the same.
However, i must draw the attention of fellow learners to the vast
difference between a reductionistic systems model and non-reductionistic
systems thinking. Unfortunately, the only example which i can give
involves LEP (Law of Entropy Production). It is a bad example for anyone
not deeply engaged in thinking about it.
But allow me try to explain it. Let "S" symbolise the physical quantity
"entropy". Let /_\ before S indicate any change in S. Let SY symbolise the
"system" and let SU symbolise the "surroundings" made up of all other
systems in the universe. Let SY&SU symbolise the universe. LEP says
nothing else than that the entropy of the universe has to increase. In
other words, the "change in entropy", i.e., /_\S(SY&SU) has to be
positive. Symbolically
/_\S(SY&SU) > 0
We now assume that the "entropy of the universe" is equal to the
"entropy of the system" /_\S(SY) added to the "entropy of the
surroundings" /_\S(SU). Symbolically:
/_\S(SY&SU) = /_\S(SY) + /_\S(SU)
This assumption cannot be tested empirically, but there are indications
that it is the case and not otherwise. Furthermore, this assumption is
not reductionistic. Consequently we may replace
/_\S(SY&SU) > 0
with
/_\S(SY) + /_\S(SU) > 0
Whereas the expression
/_\S(SY&SU) > 0
is clear (except for those who do not know "<" mathematics ;-),
the expression
/_\S(SY) + /_\S(SU) > 0
is full of mysteries (even for those who know "<" mathematics ;-)
For example, with /_\S(SY) = +3 and /_\S(SU) = +5 we have
/_\S(SY) + /_\S(SU) = (+3) + (+5) = +8
which is true (+8 > 0) Furthermore, for /_\S(SY) = -3 and
/_\S(SU) = +5 we have
/_\S(SY) + /_\S(SU) = (-3) + (+5) = +2
which is still true (+2 > 0). But for /_\S(SY) = +3 and
/_\S(SU) = -5 we have
/_\S(SY) + /_\S(SU) = (+3) + (-5) = -2
which is not true (-2 < 0 and not -2 > 0).
Here is the crux of the issue. Systems thinking on LEP becomes
REDUCTIONISTIC when
/_\S(SY) + /_\S(SU) > 0
is SIMPLIFIED into
/_\S(SY) > 0
In other words, the "change of entropy in the surroundings" /_\S(SU)
is neglected. This expression
/_\S(SY) > 0
is not LEP nor will it ever become LEP. It is a grand falacy.
Thinking of entropy changes in the system without taking entropy changes
in the surroundings into consideration is as foolish as can be. OK, it
seems to be so technical that it is insignicant in importance. But here
comes the surprise. Entropy is a measure of organisation. Thus the first
sentence of this paragraph becomes by substituting organisation(al) for
entropy:-
Thinking of organisational changes in the system without taking
organisational changes in the surroundings into consideration is as
foolish as can be.
An grand example of such a system is South Africa during the years of
apartheid.
Even worse is the example
/_\S(SY) + /_\S(SU) = (+3) + (-5) = -2
above. In words it means
Any system increasing its organisation such that there is greater
decrease in organisation of the surroundings is doing great harm
to the universe.
Examples of such systems are a monopoly in the business world,
a dictatorship in the political world and deforestation in the ecological
world.
>I come more from an interpretive (symbolic) perspective
>(e.g.,Clifford Geertz, Karl Weick), where life and
>organizations can be seen as a drama or text to be interpreted.
Tony and other fellow learners, i am really sorry that i had to begin
with the symbolic expression
/_\S(SY&SU) > 0
followed by a lot of mathematical stuff. But i hope that my gradual
reinterpretation of it in the last two sentences above:
Any system increasing its .....
Examples of such systems .....
made it worth despite the agony of it.
With care and best wishes
--At de Lange <amdelange@postino.up.ac.za> Snailmail: A M de Lange Gold Fields Computer Centre Faculty of Science - University of Pretoria Pretoria 0001 - Rep of South Africa
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