On Tue, 8 Oct 1996, Robert Bacal wrote:
> I might put it another way, which is probably complementary to what you
> are saying. I think it is reasonable to consider the possibility that
> individuals are cognitively limited in terms of grasping complex systems
> and relationships as exist in society/organizations. The tentacle like
> relationships are rather overwhelming emotionally and cognitively,
> particularly if we consider the brain as a information condensing machine.
>
> An interesting question though. IF individuals are cognitively limited in
> grasping complex systems, is it possible for a group of individuals to
> collectively understand a complex system?
Do individuals and groups have a cognitive limitation in grasping complex
systems?
In my experience, clearly YES. Considering just the relative simple
systems archetypes, for example, I regularly find that people just cannot
see them... not until they've heard a little about them and, more
importantly, practiced seeing them. Afterwards, some have told me, "These
darn loops are everywhere... and we didn't see them before!"
In teaching systems thinking (archetypes and system dynamics modelling) I
feel that I'm actually helping people build a new organ of perception.
Afterwards they are able to see things that they didn't see before.
And, these comments are about seeing relatively simple systemic
structures. Many important real-world phenomena are much more complex and
therefore probably much harder to see.
-- Rick
--
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