Gathered here are Ludwig von Bertalanffy's writings on general systems theory, selected and edited to show the evolution of systems theory and to present it applications to problem solving.
An attempt to formulate common laws that apply to virtually every scientific field, this conceptual approach has had a profound impact on such widely diverse disciplines as biology, economics, psychology, and demography.
General System Theory
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've looked high and low for a text summarizing systems theory and I write this review in near shock having just finished this book. I say "shock" because I just can't believe how remarkably undated this book is after nearly 40 years (first edition 1969). I've read books by Checkland, Lazlo, Weinberg and many others but nothing summarizes the systems world view better than this classic. You've gotta love a scientist/philosopher who quotes Aldous Huxley liberally. I'd give it six stars if I could.
65 of 84 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Perhaps the best way to start this review is with Bertalanffy's own words: "Compared to the analytical procedure of classical science with resolution into component elements and one-way or linear causality as basic category, the investigation of organized wholes of many variables requires new catagories of interaction, transaction, organization, teleology..."
"These considerations lead to the postulate of a new scientific discipline which we call general system theory. It's subject matter is formulation of principles that are valid for "systems" in general, whatever the nature of the component elements and the relations or "forces" between them...
"General system theory, therefore, is a general science of wholeness"...
Wholeness is not new, the Chinese and Greeks had their own versions, but what Bertalanffy did is make it an authentic science.
18 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Zac
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is for people interested in interdisciplinary research from a theoretical point of view. It is like a time machine to allow a look through the eyes of Bertalanffy to the 1960's and the prevailing scientific views at that time. Above all, this is due to the 'special' style the book is writen. With 'special' I mean, that Bertalanffy does not write completely factual and impersonal but more emotional.
All in all, this book does not provide you with solutions to problems but gives you the ability after reading to ask questions you could not ask before because you did not know the problem at all. For me, it was really interesting to contrast the ideas discussed in the book with our current state of knowlegde over 50 years later (the book covers the work of Bertalanffy from 1930's - 1960's). I recommend this book to everyone interested in foundations of basic research in physics, chemistry, biology and pschology, it should be a must read.
All in all, this book does not provide you with solutions to problems but gives you the ability after reading to ask questions you could not ask before because you did not know the problem at all. For me, it was really interesting to contrast the ideas discussed in the book with our current state of knowlegde over 50 years later (the book covers the work of Bertalanffy from 1930's - 1960's). I recommend this book to everyone interested in foundations of basic research in physics, chemistry, biology and pschology, it should be a must read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
It changed the world view of systems
Before Von Bertanalfy: closed systems only;
After Von Bertanalfy: Open systems, interfaces, interactions, systems engineering, system thinking, system integration,... Read more
After Von Bertanalfy: Open systems, interfaces, interactions, systems engineering, system thinking, system integration,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Matt Kern
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Book for any Engineer
Understanding systems of the world is within your grasp, this book explains the concept intensively and opens way to see much more in ordinary things and relate so much to concepts... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ben
2.0 out of 5 stars
Poor quality print
The printing quality of this edition is disappointingly poor. The textual parts of the figures are so blurred, that literally impossible to read. Read more
Published 9 months ago by zoltan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Biology rather than physics should be the basis for linking all the scienes together, seems to be to be the main message in this book. Read more
Published on April 7, 2011 by A reader
1.0 out of 5 stars
Generally outdated
"General Systems Theory" by Von Bertalanffy is according to Google scholar cited by over 3000 scientific papers. That should be a really special book! Read more
Published on April 3, 2011 by A. C. Van Rossum
3.0 out of 5 stars
A science for the future, and always will be
Sometime in the mid-1990's I was appointed to lead the hardware portion of an engineering project, and a much senior colleague was appointed the software lead. Read more
Published on November 30, 2010 by F. Mullen
5.0 out of 5 stars
General System Theory (Author:Ludwid von Bertalanffy).
The best view, writed on general system theory, selected and edited to show the evolution of systems theory and to present its applications to problem solving. Read more
Published on December 27, 2007 by Nelson L. R. Silveira
3.0 out of 5 stars
Book for System People
This book is good to someone who wants to think about systems. However, is not the book aim to give details about the system definition. Read more
Published on October 3, 2007 by Getulio Amaral
5.0 out of 5 stars
He changed modern population theory
Although he wrote a lot about the general theory of systems,
I think it is his approach to the problems of how living systems
interact with their environment... Read more
I think it is his approach to the problems of how living systems
interact with their environment... Read more
Published on April 20, 2007 by R. Bagula
5.0 out of 5 stars
General Systems Theory is DEEP
Bertalanffy is one of the best educated men and deepest thinkers ever. General Systems Theory is a monument to his greatness. Keep a dictionary handy, and brush up on your Latin. Read more
Published on February 17, 2007 by ep
