ABSTRACT
The earlier contextual investigations concluded by highlighting three questions basic to the pursuit of a systemic epistemology. All three questions refer to the idea of emergent property, an understanding of which is central to the present work. It is noteworthy that the idea of emergent property has been treated so differently by commentators in the literature that it is difficult to come to terms with exactly what the concept refers to and what its significance might be. This is unfortunate, not only for those interested in System Theory; management science in general has already gained much from System Theory, and a solid understanding of one of its central ideas can serve to amplify such gains, be they purely theoretical or pathways towards practice. There is a need, therefore, to clarify the different views and come to some overall understanding. For the present purposes, in addition to Checkland’s earlier contribution (see Chapter 3), three other system theorists will suffice as guides: (1) von Bertalanffy, being the founder of the systems movement; (2) Weinberg, having written a classic interpretation of the movement’s methodological approach; and (3) Yolles, having recently provided a contemporary interpretation of the systems movement.1 A list of 12 aspects of emergent properties will result from this investigation, providing an introductory presentation on how emergent properties are understood in the System Theory literature. It will become obvious that the idea of emergent property in the System Theory literature converges with Checkland’s understanding of emergent property as unifying epistemological concept. In conclusion, the chapter will highlight the need for further investigations if such an understanding is to be fully appreciated.
