Article ID: | iaor201529065 |
Volume: | 32 |
Issue: | 5 |
Start Page Number: | 546 |
End Page Number: | 561 |
Publication Date: | Sep 2015 |
Journal: | Systems Research and Behavioral Science |
Authors: | Midgley Gerald, Rajagopalan Raghav |
Keywords: | critical systems thinking, systems science, systems thinking |
This paper makes the case for extended ways of knowing in systemic intervention. It argues that the deployment of formal (even reflective) thinking and dialogue methods are inadequate, on their own, to the critical tasks of comprehending larger wholes and appreciating others' viewpoints. Theory and techniques need to go further and access other forms of knowing, held in experiential, practical or symbolic ways. This could offer a better basis to incorporate marginalized people and other phenomena that are affected by interventions but do not have a voice, such as ecosystems and future generations.