The unity of (social systems) science: The legacy of Bertalanffy

Abstract

The article discusses Bertalanffy's project for the unity of science in the particular field of social sciences. The aim is to analyse shortcomings and to sketch new approaches to this matter. We identify two main obstacles, namely, the inner differentiation of social systems science and the threat of methodological nativism to Bertalanffy's project. Furthermore, the article examines the concepts of scientific system and cosmopolitanism as opposites to such obstacles and as legacies of Bertalanffy's view of science as well. The conclusion resumes the arguments and proposes new paths for general systems theory. KEYWORDS cosmopolitanism, general systems theory, methodological nativism, unity of science, world society 1 The same idea is proposed by Midgley (2007) but considered only from a methodological point of view.

Ludwig von Bertalanffy and his enduring relevance: Celebrating 50 years General System Theory

“…While von Bertalanffy's GST never presented a fully developed theory of social systems, Vanderstraeten (), Hofkirchner (), and Cadenas () argue that the insights from Bertalanffyian GST still have relevance for the social sciences. Vanderstraeten () notes how the attractiveness of von Bertalanffy's approach has to do with the fact that it focuses attention on the embeddedness of social processes, enabling researchers to describe the behaviour of complex, open systems as the result of an interaction between these systems and their environment.…”

“…The papers of Hofkirchner () and Cadenas () both argue that von Bertalanffy's GST provides important suggestions for how to think about the integration or unity of the social sciences. Hofkirchner () points out that it was von Bertalanffy's hope to advance the unity of science in order to yield solutions to global challenges and discusses how his GST puts forward methodological, theoretical, and more applied ideas towards this end.…”

“…Hofkirchner () points out that it was von Bertalanffy's hope to advance the unity of science in order to yield solutions to global challenges and discusses how his GST puts forward methodological, theoretical, and more applied ideas towards this end. Cadenas () argues that von Bertalanffy's main contribution to the integration of the sciences consists in creating a common language for the world scientific system, thus facilitating relations between different disciplines and inspiring a genuine “scientific cosmopolitanism.” For the social sciences in particular, this helped in overcoming the opposition between Enlightened and Romantic science.…”

Furthering systems theory towards social theory by revisiting critical systems thinking: connecting problem-solving and theory-building

“…However, the systems paradigms and the sociological paradigms needs more dialogue and the relation between them needs exploring. Furthering systems theory towards social theory in terms of philosophical roots might help GST towards a new approach to unity of science (Hempel, 1951; von Bertalanffy, 1950a; Cadenas, 2019; Rousseau, 2014). Although differences exist among sociological paradigms and their incommensurability remains under dispute, paradigms are not completely mutual exclusive but might be connected or complementary (Willmott, 1993; Gioia and Pitre, 1990; Brocklesby, 1993).…”

Enhancing the materiality principle in integrated reporting by adopting the General Systems Theory

“…The relationship between the ideas of systemic openness and closure, for instance, has been a central concern in different studies by Francisco Varela, Gregory Bateson, or Niklas Luhmann” (Van Assche, et al, 2019, p. 251). “As several authors in this issue argue, von Bertalanffy did provide foundations for a development of social theory, which could adequately link individual, group, and environment in a way called for by the early systems theory (Cadenas, 2019; Hofkirchner, 2019; Vanderstraeten, 2019). ” Moving to sustainability‐oriented fields GST has been used to validate an eco‐systemic framework by considering how a sustainable business can operate itself “as a complex system similar to a living organism” (Sun et al, 2018, p. 2).…”