The systems view of life : a unifying vision

Bibliographic Information

The systems view of life : a unifying vision

Fritjof Capra, Pier Luigi Luisi

Cambridge University Press, 2016

  • : pbk

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 453-471) and index

"First published 2014, paperback edition first published 2016 with corrections" --T. P. verso

Description based on 7th printing 2018

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Over the past thirty years, a new systemic conception of life has emerged at the forefront of science. New emphasis has been given to complexity, networks, and patterns of organisation, leading to a novel kind of 'systemic' thinking. This volume integrates the ideas, models, and theories underlying the systems view of life into a single coherent framework. Taking a broad sweep through history and across scientific disciplines, the authors examine the appearance of key concepts such as autopoiesis, dissipative structures, social networks, and a systemic understanding of evolution. The implications of the systems view of life for health care, management, and our global ecological and economic crises are also discussed. Written primarily for undergraduates, it is also essential reading for graduate students and researchers interested in understanding the new systemic conception of life and its implications for a broad range of professions - from economics and politics to medicine, psychology and law.

Table of Contents

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgements
  • Introduction: paradigms in science and society
  • Part I. The Mechanistic World View: 1. The Newtonian world-machine
  • 2. The mechanistic view of life
  • 3. Mechanistic social thought
  • Part II. The Rise of Systems Thinking: 4. From the parts to the whole
  • 5. Classical systems theories
  • 6. Complexity theory
  • Part III. A New Conception of Life: 7. What is life?
  • 8. Order and complexity in the living world
  • 9. Darwin and biological evolution
  • 10. The quest for the origin of life on Earth
  • 11. The human adventure
  • 12. Mind and consciousness
  • 13. Science and spirituality
  • 14. Life, mind, and society
  • 15. The systems view of health
  • Part IV. Sustaining the Web of Life: 16. The ecological dimension of life
  • 17. Connecting the dots: systems thinking and the state of the world
  • 18. Systemic solutions
  • Bibliography
  • Index.

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

  • NCID
    BB26271365
  • ISBN
    • 9781316616437
  • Country Code
    uk
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Place of Publication
    Cambridge
  • Pages/Volumes
    xiv, 498 p.
  • Size
    25 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
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