The Future of Systems Theory

Abstract

In the foregoing chapters, an attempt has been made to present the current state of systems theory and some of its applications. To predict the future of an area which still has not celebrated its fiftieth anniversary is of course extremely difficult. Any effort to predict the coming fate of systems theory must however be made from two starting points. One with respect to the state of science in general where its environment is to be found and the other with regard to the state of the world we live in where it should be used. After all, the highest purpose for the intellect is the search for general principles that would allow us better to understand, predict and manage the world’s problems. We begin by taking a critical look at the science of today.