The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision has recently been published by Cambridge University Press. Amazon has a review by Prof. Warwick Fox which is very glowing. Some reviews are non-commital. Others are comprehensive and show depth of appreciation. The following is from the publishers:
"Over the past thirty years, a new systemic conception of life has emerged at the forefront of science. New emphasis has been given to complexity, networks, and patterns of organisation leading to a novel kind of 'systemic' thinking. This volume integrates the ideas, models, and theories underlying the systems view of life into a single coherent framework. Taking a broad sweep through history and across scientific disciplines, the authors examine the appearance of key concepts such as autopoiesis, dissipative structures, social networks, and a systemic understanding of evolution. The implications of the systems view of life for health care, management, and our global ecological and economic crises are also discussed. Written primarily for undergraduates, it is also essential reading for graduate students and researchers interested in understanding the new systemic conception of life and its implications for a broad range of professions - from economics and politics to medicine, psychology and law."
I look forward to reading this book and to adding it to the resources available to the students of our postgraduate program in STiP - Systems Thinking in Practice.
