It takes courage to write sympathetically about systems. Systems thinking was for some time popular, in part because of its alleged usefulness in managing the complex systems of our biological or social world, but nowadays we mostly blame the system and the ways it limits our options. In this book, the authors tackle this sentiment with a clear message about the enduring value of systems thinking in all its variety - but without making false promises. They reflect on the history of systems thinking, carefully discussing how it can still be used to understand the complexities of our world. -- Raf Vanderstraeten, Ghent University, Belgium Systems thinking has always wrestled with bold ideas - like self-reference, operational closure, and the role of the observer. This book makes those ideas not only clear, but also relevant, showing how they have shaped both science and practice. At a moment when synthetic intelligence forces us to rethink the kinds of systems we live with and how they fit together, this book offers timely guidance, a framework for thoughtful action, and a deep respect for a planet that may never have been ours. -- Dirk Baecker, Zeppelin University, Germany Some books categorize. This one unknots. With erudition and elegance, Van Assche and colleagues animate systems thinking as both philosophy and practice - a living, breathing method of seeing unity without losing the beauty of complexity. Its a masterclass in intellectual ecology. -- Vladislav Valentinov, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies, Germany
