Overview: A roundup of systems thinking as it applies to life, it looks at the foundational ideas across disciplines and the history pf their development. Major sections are;
(1) The mechanical world view - newtonian world view, mechanistic views of life, and mechanistic social thought
(2) The rise of systems thinking - from parts to whole, classical systems, complexity
(3) The new conception of life - what is life, order and complexity, Darwin and evolution, origin of life on earth, humans, mind and consciousness, science and spirituality, life mind and society, systems view of health,
(4) Sustaining the web of life - ecological dimension, connecting. the dots - systems thinking and the state of the world, systemic solutions
Relevance: A book I depend on for round up of recent knowledge. Seminal work for development of my thinking. Helps with the working out both what is possible (given how we are as social primates) and what is needed (the state we are in, notwithstanding great progress the urgent need for change).