TOWARDS A THEORY OF SYSTEMIC PROBLEM SOLVING: PROSPECTS AND PARADOXES

ABSTRACT This paper represents an exercise in Conceptual Modeling. It attempts to construct a series of plausible performance measures for a systemic model of problem solving. The paper clarifies the differences between systemic and nonsystemic problems. A set of problems is systemic if and only if the solution to every problem is dependent on the solution to all of the other problems in the set. In the same vein, a systemic measure of problem solving performance is a multiplicative function of performance on each of the “separate” phases of the total problem solving process. As a result, good performance on any one phase is not enough to make up for poor performance on other phases. One of the main purposes of the paper is to set the stage for future quantitative inquiries into the dynamics of problem solving. A primary intent is to illustrate the difficulties inherent in (a) the nature of problem solving and scientific method themselves and (b) the mathematical or quantitative representation of them.

[1]  I. Mitroff.  ON THE PROBLEM OF REPRESENTATION IN LOCKEAN AND DIALECTICAL BELIEF SYSTEMS: A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO POLICY ANALYSIS , 1975 .

[2]  Frederick Betz,et al.  On Managing Science in the Systems Age: Two Schemas for the Study of Science as a Whole Systems Phenomenon , 1974 .

[3]  I. Mitroff.  Emotion and Bias in Science. (Book Reviews: The Subjective Side of Science. A Philosophical Inquiry into the Psychology of the Apollo Moon Scientists) , 1974 .

[4]  J. Coleman.  Policy research in the social sciences , 1972 .

[5]  Ian I. Mitroff,et al.  On evaluating scientific research: The contribution of the psychology of science , 1975 .

[6]  R. Ackoff,et al.  Redesigning the Future, a Systems Approach to Societal Problems , 1977, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics.

[7]  Harold A. Linstone,et al.  A Review of: “REDESIGNING THE FUTURE: A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO SOCIETAL PROBLEMS”, by Russel A. Ackoff. John Wiley, New York, 1974. , 1975 .

[8]  H. Rittel,et al.  Dilemmas in a general theory of planning , 1973 .

[9]  C. West Churchman,et al.  The Systems Approach , 1979 .

[10]  T. R. Featheringham,et al.  On systemic problem solving and the error of the third kind , 1974 .

[11]  Martin Bloom,et al.  The paradox of helping: introduction to the philosophy of scientific practice , 1975 .

[12]  L. Laudan.  Science as Problem-Solving. (Book Reviews: Progress and Its Problems. Toward a Theory of Scientific Growth) , 1977 .

[13]  Russell L. Ackoff,et al.  On purposeful systems , 1972 .

[14]  Donald S. Lee.  Scientific Method as a Stage Process , 1968 .

[15]  Murray Levine,et al.  Scientific method and the adversary model: Some preliminary thoughts. , 1974 .

[16]  R. Redheffer,et al.  Mathematics of Physics and Modern Engineering , 1960 .

[17]  E. Jantsch.  The design of inquiring systems,: by C. West Churchman New York, Basic Books, 1972. , 1972 .

[18]  C. Eden.  BookOn systems analysis : David Berlinski 186 pages, £ 10.25 (Cambridge, Mass, and London, MIT Press, 1976)☆ , 1978 .

[19]  A. MacEachron,et al.  A contingency model for the design of problem-solving research programs: a perspective on diffusion research. , 1974, The Milbank Memorial Fund quarterly. Health and society.

[20]  Allen Newell,et al.  Elements of a theory of human problem solving. , 1958 .

[21]  Ian I. Mitroff,et al.  Operations research from the viewpoint of general systems theory , 1973 .