At:
Thanks very much for the kind reply to my addition to this thread. I
agree that it is important for us to show our children a better and
complimentary way to view reality that doesn't leave them as mired in the
blame, politics, and unsubstantiated rhetoric that we experience with many
of humanity's most complex issues.
I'm prepared to see systems thinking in the language of spiritual
endeavor. As someone who has been a slow-learner of the Buddhist way,
I've learned a few things about the trap of dualism. It's been my work
experience that exploring issues using the tools of systems thinking
involves the use of a less-dualistic frame of interpretation. My
conclusion is that this frame is at least part of the reason why tools
such as causal loops and archetypes are so powerful in practice. They are
more integrative and give people hope that solutions to tough problems can
be found without resorting to harmful distinctions -- especially blame.
In Ontario, there is growing interest in using systems thinking to deliver
more integrated learning to children. Perhaps that will help them to see
past the "omnibus of topics" that you correctly identify. Beyond that, I
am optimistic that more organizations will become interested in seeing
systems as a way to address complex issues. Both should make a dent in
helping humanity overcome fragmented thinking and knee-jerk solutions.
Maybe we'll see a decline in bombings along the way. Having relatives in
Northern Ireland, I'm among those wishing strongly for that.
With metta,
Jason Smith
jsmith@quantumsolutions.on.ca
--"Jason Smith" <jsmith@quantumsolutions.on.ca>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>