Research Paper on:
Holism: Systems Thinking

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
is becoming a common occurrence in todays society for segmented approaches to yield to more holistic applications. The extent to which social systems need to be analyzed in such  a way as to elicit viable solutions is both grand and far-reaching; that systems thinking provides the needed approach for examining a situation from its complete perspective speaks to how  the traditional focus on "separating the individual pieces of what is being studied" (Aronson, 1998) no longer serves as the best option. The comprehensive nature of systems thinking represents just  the opposite of what has existed in social system analysis for decades, whereby analysts have typically relied upon a detailed process of "isolating smaller and smaller parts" (Aronson, 1998) of  the systems components. Now, however, concentration is being placed upon broadening the perspective as a means by which to "take into account larger and larger numbers of interactions" (Aronson,  1998) as they relate to the issue at hand. Not surprisingly, the conclusions prove to be quite contrary, particularly when a number of complex variables are intertwined within the  analysis. The areas where systems thinking is most effective is with intricate problems, those that are inextricable associated with past issues or actions and those that exist because of  "ineffective coordination among those involved" (Aronson, 1998). The following four points help one to understand the valuable nature of systems thinking in these areas: 1. Complex problems that  involve helping many actors see the "big picture" and not just their part of it 2. Recurring problems or those that have been made worse by past attempts to fix  them 3. Issues where an action affects (or is affected by) the environment surrounding the issue, either the natural environment or the competitive environment 4. Problems whose solutions are not