In this book, fascinating autobiographical accounts by leading scholars in a variety of fields and disciplines provide a rich introduction to the art and science of complexity and systems thinking. We learn how the authors interest in complexity thinking developed, the key figures and texts they encountered along the way, the experiences that shaped their path, their major works, and their personal journeys. This volume serves as an introduction to complexity as well as a vivid account of the personal and intellectual development of important scholars.
This book was originally published as a special issue of World Futures.
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vii | |
| Notes on Contributors |
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ix | |
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1 Introduction: The complexity of life and lives of complexity |
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1 | (3) |
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2 Systems theory, arrogant and humble |
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4 | (13) |
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3 Systems patterns and possibilities |
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17 | (15) |
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32 | (17) |
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5 A passion for pushing the limits |
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49 | (23) |
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72 | (21) |
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7 Human possibilities: An integrated systems approach |
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93 | (21) |
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8 Encounter with a wizard |
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114 | (21) |
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9 A cigarette is sometimes just a cigarette |
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135 | (21) |
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10 Bringing forth that which is within: How an invisible hand led me to a life that "feels like my own" |
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156 | (14) |
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11 Complexity and transdisciplinarity: Reflections on theory and practice |
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170 | (31) |
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| Index |
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201 | |
Alfonso Montuori is an educator, consultant, and musician. He is currently Professor at California Institute of Integral Studies, USA. He has been Distinguished Professor in the School of Fine Arts at Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio, USA, and in 1985-1986 taught at the Central South University in Hunan, China.
