Living Systems:
"Ecological systems and human social systems are living systems; human-made systems such as cars and washing machines are nonliving systems.
Most systems thinkers focus their attention on living systems, especially human social systems. "
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What Is Systems Thinking?
"The essence of systems thinking is to focus on the whole.
The parts are no longer the primary focus.
The parts are essential, but what is more important is the interrelationship between the parts as they work together to fulfill the purpose of the whole system.
Systems thinking is a purpose/outcome-oriented approach of thinking that is very different from the piecemeal and fragmented approach we often use.
Even though our universe is “held together” by systems, ironically, we continually break things apart, to look at the pieces and lose whatever sight we had of the whole.
That process, known as analytical thinking, makes the parts primary and the whole secondary.
In systems thinking, the whole is primary and the parts, secondary.
This is not only a holistic and strategic way of viewing an organization, it can transform the way people interact."
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