Applications of systems dialectics to integrated development

Systems dialectics is conceived as the integration of two convergent and complementary lines of thinking: one, methodological, the other one, philosophical. The methodological approach attempts to understand the same system, or systems, from static, dynamic, and dialectical perspectives. Systems dynamics considers systems from the viewpoint of homeostasis or dynamic equilibria. Systems dialectics tries to explain mutation-sudden structural and functional change-in nature and society. The modern philosophical trend follows the line of dialectical idealism (Hegel); dialectical materialism (Engels, Marx); and the French scientific dialectics movement, which made a first attempt to synthesize both approaches. Systemic dialectics tries to understand these approaches from a global perspective, as complementary viewpoints. A practical application of systems dialectics would be to test in the ‘real’ world its global viewpoints in order to transform conflicting situations by applying the new paradigm to the integrated development of individuals and groups.