Explaining Systems Changes Learning | RSD12 | 2023-10-14 November 20, 2023 daviding 0 CommentsFor the Relating Systems and Design RSD12 symposium on October 14, 2023, members of the Explainers subgroup of the Systems Changes Learning Circle conducted an in-person workshop on “Explaining Systems Changes Learning: Metaphors and translations” at OCADU in Toronto.
Focused on the mental processes of the systems thinker, the books introduce a paradigm shift in advanced systems thinking: rather than fixating attention on systems
hypostatized by the thinker on purely logical grounds, the books lay bare the thought- form structure of the thinker’s real-time movements-in-thought that led him to
hypostatize the system in question, thus making visible the ‘absences’ in the thinker’s thought that need to be repaired.
By centering on the systems thinker’s own mental process and its cognitive- developmental structure, the books outline an assessment methodology for judging the
quality of individual system thinkers’ process in terms of the complexity and maturity of their thinking.
Thereby, they deliver the foundation for empirical studies in systems thinking as a part of studies in adult cognitive development; the books also lay the foundation for teaching advanced systems thinking in a self-reflective manner, not primarily for “solving problems” (which are always a function of the thinker’s thought maturity), but for measuring and boosting the thought complexity a thinker is presently capable of.
The books thus amount to an epistemology of advanced systems thinking that highlights the latter’s limitations when it is conducted in purely logical terms, simultaneously showing that logical thinking, (in Western cultures) mature at 25 years of age, naturally evolves into dialectical thinking over the lifespan.
The books are based on Laske’s Dialectical Thought Form Framework (DTF, put in place in 2000), which is continued to be taught in international cohorts at the Interdevelopmental Institute (https://interdevelopmentals.org/services/). Three New Books on Advanced Systems Thinking by Otto Laske, known as Inventor of New Thinking Tools, have appeared at Springer
Volume 1: Approaching Real-World Complexity with Dialectical Thinking (ISBN 978-3-031-40331-6) Volume 2: How to Measure and Boost Thought Maturity (ISBN 978-30031-40984-4) Volume 3: Manual of Dialectical Thought Forms (ISBN 978-3-031-40338-5)
The books spell out and interpret validated empirical outcomes of adult-developmental research in cognitive development over the life span, — a discipline now 25 years old but curiously kept out of the systems thinking mainstream which therefore lacks a reflexive meta-level.
The books articulate the pedagogical foundations of 20 years of undergraduate and graduate instruction in advanced systems thinking at the Interdevelopmental Institute (IDM; www.interdevelopmentals.org), delivered in international cohorts in English, French, German, and Spanish.
From a historical perspective, the books fuse insights of the Frankfurt School and the Harvard Kohlberg School as well as integrate cutting-edge insights deriving from R. Bhaskar’s and M. Archer’s Dialectical Critical Realism. Having proven their worth in practice, they are ready to be used for teaching and examinations at colleges, universities, think tanks, and in programs of executive and team development. I would be happy to mentor your staff in the novel subject of the three books. Sincerely, Otto Laske, Founder and Director, Interdevelopmental Institute (IDM) otto@interdevelopmentals.org
For more detailed information on the contents of the books, go to
The principle of feedback — the cycle by which performance is measured, evaluated against desired results, and corrected for future performance. Made for IBM, Introduction to Feedback was one of a series of films proposed by the Eames Office to explain computers and the principles underlying their operation. Script by Charles Eames Narrated by Vic Perrin, Music by Elmer Bernstein 10 minutes, 40 seconds.
Other videos on this Eames Office YouTube account are well worth a look:
We tend to talk about complexity as something “out there”. A wicked problem to solve, a mess to order, a source of overwhelm and confusion to eliminate. And while it is all these things, it is also our home territory. Our habitat. And it IS us.
We are complexity walking.Sonja Blignaut·Following4 min read·3 hours ago25Photo by Ryoji Iwata on UnsplashWe tend to talk about complexity as something “out there”. A wicked problem to solve, a mess to order, a source of overwhelm and confusion to eliminate. And while it is all these things, it is also our home territory. Our habitat. And it IS us.
This blog launches “Systemic” – a game that simulates how policy-making systems function and possible shifts that can be made to improve policy outcomes. Systemic has been inspired by the world of board games, and was co-created by Policy Lab and Matteo Menapace, the co-author of ‘Daybreak’. It forms part of our learning from a project aiming to shift complex systems around multiple disadvantage with the Changing Futures Programme. Serious games are one of Policy Lab’s new experimental methods, set out in the launch of our experimental innovation strategy last year.
Watch skilled academic conversations and multidimensional discussions in action. Develop awareness of how thought diversity and controversial perceptions and opinions become the fertile starting points for deep dives into more insightful and beneficial discussions.
Mini-Courses are FREE for Society members and $25 for non-members. Join today and unlock all benefits!
Select from 11 rich and engaging mini-courses with discussion questions to interact with other students, quizzes to test your knowledge, and selected readings to dive deeper. The first mini-course is free for everyone!
The practice of using tools to reach a clearly defined systems change goal
A list of milestones and concrete projects that you want to reach in order to achieve a systems change goal
Practical worksheets to start flexing your systems thinking muscles
A customized systems change strategy deck within a pre-designed template
Tools to engage a broader audience and build a network of allies
Welcome to the Systems Change Masterclass!Powerful Tools for Scaling Impact in Any SectorCRAFT YOUR STRATEGY DECK | Free | 10 Weeks | Available in: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, CzechE
What You Will Take AwayThe practice of using tools to reach a clearly defined systems change goalA list of milestones and concrete projects that you want to reach in order to achieve a systems change goalPractical worksheets to start flexing your systems thinking musclesA customized systems change strategy deck within a pre-designed templateTools to engage a broader audience and build a network of allies
I wonder if I can pick your brains on scholars of 🌐 Complexity Leadership Theory 🌐 (or close to) that you may know who are relevant and I should add to my emerging list, which at the minute is rather small in length (not in collective knowledge 🎓 ) and includes the following:
Mary Uhl-Bien Dave Snowden Michael Arena Gervase R. Bushe Keith Grint Ralph Stacey Richard Boyatzis Deborah Ancona Chris Mowles Cynthia McPherson Frantz
Systems Community of Inquiry 
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