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General System Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications (Paperback)

~ Ludwig Von Bertalanffy (Author)

4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

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Product Details

Paperback: 295 pages
Publisher: George Braziller; Revised edition (March 1976)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0807604534
ISBN-13: 978-0807604533
Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 1 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,578 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
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#12 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > System Theory
#12 in Books > Science > Physics > System Theory
#16 in Books > Science > Physics > Chaos & Systems

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Look Inside This Book

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover

Citations (learn more)

62 books cite this book:

Rethinking the Fifth Discipline: Learning Within the Unknowable by Robert Lo Flood in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
The Moment of Complexity: Emerging Network Culture by Mark C. Taylor on page 140, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
Rethinking the Fifth Discipline: Learning Within the Unknowable by Robert Lo Flood in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
Genesis of the Cosmos: The Ancient Science of Continuous Creation by Paul A. LaViolette in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
Teacher Learning for Educational Change (Professional Learning) by G. J. Hoban in Back Matter

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	80% buy the item featured on this page: General System Theory: Foundations, Development, Applications 4.4 out of 5 stars (13) $15.61
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	6% buy An Introduction to General Systems Thinking (Silver Anniversary Edition) 4.8 out of 5 stars (8) $25.54
	4% buy The Systems View of the World: A Holistic Vision for Our Time (Advances in Systems Theory, Complexity, and the Human Sciences) 4.8 out of 5 stars (5) $17.05

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Customer Reviews

13 Reviews

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new way of looking at how things work together, October 30, 1999

By	Thomas M. Mandel (Chicago, Il. USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

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36 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A book for the development of system ideas., December 12, 2003

By	Frank Bierbrauer (Cardiff, Wales, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: General System Theory (Penguin University Books) (Paperback)

This book is quite old now and shows some of its age. At the time the idea of system theory was new and invigorating although it still appears that the theory was not radically new by any means even then.

Bertalanffy discusses the idea of a system mainly through dynamical systems in his early chapters but also discusses important issues such as open systems, teleology and the organism considered as a system. By no means does this remove the dogma of the reductionists but the whole idea can be incorporated within it by some adjustments and expansions of the original concept. In that sense it is still possible for a biologist to consider animals and plants as complex machines. Nothing in this book really forces anyone to onsider an alternative.

On the other hand his later chapters from chapter 8 onwards discuss truly fascinating questions in psychology and the study of language especially noting the work of Whorf. It is these last chapters which make the book interesting. In its day it would have been something that evoked interest and fascination but now its the as yet unexplord aspects of the study of man which remain as they have always been an enigma and a source of endless wonder.

A book for the development of system ideas.

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STILL the best book on the subject, February 11, 2008

By	Mark D. Longo - Author of The Shaman (Palo Alto, CA) - See all my reviews

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.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

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 22 months ago 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 in a... 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. Read more

Published on February 17, 2007 by ep

5.0 out of 5 stars seminal
The world is filled with books (and numerous other products) that claim they will change the way you view the world. Read more

Published on March 1, 2005 by Raegen W. Richard

4.0 out of 5 stars It is a must read , because we can learn from the past.
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... Read more

Published on January 1, 2005 by Zac

5.0 out of 5 stars The system behind the system, are you aware of?
A very important body of knowledge for anyone.

Have you ever said "the current system is wrong" but never known a definitive answer? Read more

Published on November 2, 2002 by Marco Dorantes

2.0 out of 5 stars Of historical interest
Somewhat outdated, rehashed and self aggrandizing. More historical than cutting edge. You can do better!!

Published on January 13, 2001 by Guy Randell

5.0 out of 5 stars The best intent to transcend the mechanistic worldview
GST is certainly the best intent we have to transcend the mechanistic worldview from the point of view of the new science. Read more

Published on June 3, 1999 by Edgar Paternina

5.0 out of 5 stars it was the complate reference of general system theory
General System theory is the main point of life. This approach teaches us the real dynamics of world.As a manager, you can lead your organization with zero deficit. Read more

Published on December 24, 1996

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