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408
Journal of Baltic Science Education, Vol. 15, No. 4, 2016
ISSN 1648–3898
SYSTEMS THEORY OF SYSTEMS THINKING: GENERAL AND PARTICULAR WITHIN
MODERN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
Andris Broks
University of Latvia, Latvia
Following the concept of human as spiritual alive body, human thinking is spiritual activity of our brain –
brainwork. Today we accept that thinking means processing of information what is important for management of
human body life. Studying organization of human brainwork, people have discovered that all our thoughts and
thinking activities are interconnected and form denite hierarchic structures. Humans reect world as a set or
network of diverse phenomena by building corresponding theories or models of observed phenomena. In other
words, all phenomena in human world of thoughts are reected as SYSTEMS, which are organizational units of
Systems Thinking. Every system contains their interconnected parts and as a whole is a part of surrounding medium,
made from other systems. Such hierarchic integral understanding and comprehension of human brainwork today
has become the basic value of Systems Theory as theory of Systems Thinking.
Terms “system”, “systems approach” already are widely used in our professional practice and represent many
particular applied systems theories. At the same time, it has become clear that there is a fundamental set of some
general concepts and principles, forming core of all particular systems theories. Today it seems to be purposeful
to separate general and particular within systems theory and talk about compact and exhaustive general systems
theory and particular applied systems theories. To be shorter, we can introduce term “systemology”, what means
applied systems theory within denite branch of our life activities. For example, “Systemology of Education”, “Sys-
temology of Decision Making”, “Systemology of Scientic Research” etc.
Following the core principle of overall interconnection within systems thinking, philosophical terms “general”
and “particular” today we need closer connections with psychology of thinking. It is especially important for the
development of our Educational Systems, balancing general and particular/professional education as well as
scientic, artistic and pragmatic educational programs and corresponding particular subjects or courses. In other
words, when studying hierarchic structures of thoughts as well as thinking activities, it seems that now there is an
actual need for Systems Thinking as a general theory of Systems Thinking above applied system theories, what are
developed for concrete branches of practical systems thinking.
Today it is very important not to lose orientation within our practical life because of global explosion of infor-
mation. Professional training has to develop mastery of practitioners at much higher theoretical level of thinking
than before, because simple professions are becoming computerized and virtual robots are pushing out of employ-
ment corresponding people - bio robots. Today we do not need so many professional solders, clerks etc. like simple
servants, who are trained only to push buttons and ugly enjoy consumer’s life. 21-st century needs constructivist
approach based balanced general and professional education what means realization of optimal interconnections
between particular/applied and general Systems Thinking. Alarming development of unemployment within our
young people generation is partly connected with their pure general education by means of low level of Systems
Thinking. What education for what life – at rst we need to help our young people to develop their Systems Think-
ing for orientation in our modern life. Origin of human Systems Thinking is given to all of us by Mother Nature, but
during our life we need further development of this natural background. It is fundamental task of our educational
activities and let us notice that it is not enough to advocate only critical thinking.
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Journal of Baltic Science Education, Vol. 15, No. 4, 2016
ISSN 1648–3898
It is worth to note, that in practice we meet dierent Systems Thinking visualizations. Traditional basic coding
of thoughts by written words and word structures are supplemented with other corresponding signs, many of them
are well known from mathematics, engineering, trac organization etc. Similar to geographic maps what are used
for schematic description of interconnected objects in space, thought structures can be presented as so-called
mind maps. Such schematic presentation of thought structures is widely used in modern digital communication
technologies. Well-produced schemas with some comments provide rational, short and clear visualization of
interconnections without using long written texts.
Systems Theory as general theory of Systems Thinking is just a great tool for solving many problems of 21-st
century – century of fascinating development of modern Information Technologies. Perpetual changes all around
us and within us, sustainable development of our individual / personal and collective / societal life needs purpose-
ful systemic management, high quality Systems Thinking at least for our life leaders.
Finally, there are just few fundamental verities of Systems Theory.
Human is reecting world phenomena in human’s world of thoughts as systems. •
System is a totality of systems interconnected parts and as a whole, each system is a part of its sur- •
rounding medium, made from other systems.
People are interested to study and use systems properties to satisfy their corresponding needs of life. •
Human cognizes world by parts, comparing these parts and joining them together. Analysis, comparing •
and synthesis are three fundamental operations of systems thinking.
Cause of everything (of diverse phenomena - bodies, changes of bodies, properties of bodies and its •
changes) is interconnection of everything.
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Journal of Baltic Science Education, Vol. 15, No. 4, 2016
ISSN 1648–3898
Good luck to all of you who are solving modern problems of sustainable development at global as well as
also at local levels. General and particular, global and local solutions are systemic – they are interconnected and
Systems Theory of Systems Thinking can help to get general understanding and comprehension of these intercon-
nections and avoid many possible failures.
Our JBSE always is ready to accept and disseminate your systemic scientic research ndings! Systems think-
ing will help you to reach high quality standards of your work and publications!
Received: July 15, 2016 Accepted: August 25, 2016
Andris Broks PhD., Professor Emeritus, University of Latvia, 19 Raina
Blvd, LV-1586 Riga, Latvia.
E-mail: andris.broks@lu.lv
Website: https://blogi.lu.lv/broks/
