Thinking in Systems: A Primer
- ISBN-10
- 1603581480
- ISBN-13
- 9781603581486
- Category
- Science
- Pages
- 240
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2008-12-03
- Publisher
- Chelsea Green Publishing
- Author
- Donella Meadows
Description
In the years following her role as the lead author of the international bestseller, Limits to Growth—the first book to show the consequences of unchecked growth on a finite planet— Donella Meadows remained a pioneer of environmental and social analysis until her untimely death in 2001. Thinking in Systems, is a concise and crucial book offering insight for problem solving on scales ranging from the personal to the global. Edited by the Sustainability Institute’s Diana Wright, this essential primer brings systems thinking out of the realm of computers and equations and into the tangible world, showing readers how to develop the systems-thinking skills that thought leaders across the globe consider critical for 21st-century life. Some of the biggest problems facing the world—war, hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation—are essentially system failures. They cannot be solved by fixing one piece in isolation from the others, because even seemingly minor details have enormous power to undermine the best efforts of too-narrow thinking. While readers will learn the conceptual tools and methods of systems thinking, the heart of the book is grander than methodology. Donella Meadows was known as much for nurturing positive outcomes as she was for delving into the science behind global dilemmas. She reminds readers to pay attention to what is important, not just what is quantifiable, to stay humble, and to stay a learner. In a world growing ever more complicated, crowded, and interdependent, Thinking in Systems helps readers avoid confusion and helplessness, the first step toward finding proactive and effective solutions.
Get the book
Other editions
Similar books
-
Systems Thinking For Social Change: A Practical Guide to Solving Complex Problems, Avoiding Unintended Consequences, and Achieving Lasting Results
By David Peter StrohThis book will help to resuscitate these intuitive capabilities and strengthen them in the fire of facing our toughest problems."—Peter Senge, author of The Fifth Discipline Concrete guidance on how to incorporate systems thinking in ...
-
Systems Thinking: Managing Chaos and Complexity: A Platform for Designing Business Architecture
By Jamshid Gharajedaghi5.2.5.1 froM loSe/loSe To wIn/wIn envIronMenTS An important characteristic of a win/lose struggle is the possibility of converting it to either a lose/lose or a win/win environment. In today's complex and highly differentiated social ...
-
Systems Thinking: Coping with 21st Century Problems
By John Boardman, Brian SauserSee http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looney Tunes. Charles West Churchman was an American philosopher in the field of management science, operations research, and systems theory. He is internationally known for his pioneering work in ...
-
The Elements of Thinking in Systems: Use Systems Archetypes to Understand, Manage, and Fix Complex Problems and Make Smarter Decisions
By Rutherford AlbertWe need to know the elements of systems thinking to see beyond simple cause-effect connections. This book will help you to find strategic solutions to every complex, modern problem.
-
The Art of Thinking in Systems: Improve Your Logic, Think More Critically, And Use Proven Systems To Solve Your Problems...
By Steven SchusterThis book is not for Wall Street analysts but for everyday people who wish to understand their world better and make better decisions in their lives.
-
Systems Thinking for School Leaders: Holistic Leadership for Excellence in Education
By Haim Shaked, Chen SchechterThis book presents a new approach to school leadership – Holistic School Leadership, whereby school leaders lead schools through systems-thinking concepts and procedures.
-
Think in Systems: The Art of Strategic Planning, Effective Problem Solving, And Lasting Results
By Zoe MckeyHow to avoid this trap? I will tell you in this book. Think in Systems is a concise information manual offering high-level, strategic problem solving methods for personal and global issues.
-
Systems Thinking Made Simple: New Hope for Solving Wicked Problems (Second Edition)
By Derek Cabrera, Laura CabreraSystems Thinking Made Simple: New Hope for Solving Wicked Problems (Second Edition)
-
Thinking in Systems and Mental Models: Think Like a Super Thinker. Primer to Learn the Art of Making a Great...
By Marcus P Dawson"Awareness of our interconnectedness is key to solving the biggest and most complex problems we face in contemporary society.