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Pattern Thinking vs Systems Thinking

Page history last edited by Dmitry Sokolov 5 years, 6 months ago

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SSS Yet To Be Done.

https://kumu.io/Briandrpm/systems-thinking-and-pattern-thinking

Systems versus Patterns

This map endeavors to understand differences between the two approaches for understanding our world and discover any commonalities that could be further developed.

The two approaches Systems Thinking and Pattern (Language) Thinking might on first impression seem to have a great deal in common though there seems little evidence that this has been widely accepted. From one perspective the two approaches could be seen to be in opposition or arising from separate principles.

The first approach is the based on the 253 Patterns and 15 considered fundamental principles, making up Christopher Alexander's Pattern Language.

The second approach is based on Systems Thinking Models.

Third, instead of looking at Systems Thinking and Patterns in terms of 'Or' lets look in terms of 'And'

https://kumu.io/Briandrpm/systems-thinking-and-pattern-thinking#systems-versus-patterns/systems-and-patterns?focus=0

Systems and Patterns

David Ing, in his article, Systems generating systems — architectural design theory by Christopher Alexander (1968) puts forward Christopher Alexanders arguments for some basic common foundations between Pattern Thinking and Systems Thinking

"The systems thinking roots from architect Christopher Alexander aren’t completely obvious in his work on pattern language. A republished version of an 1968 article resurfaces some clarification on a perspective on systems thinking originating from practices in architecture. This article introduced ways in which systems thinking could be most directly applied to built environments. The cross-appropriation of pattern languages across a variety of domain types — object-oriented programmers were the earliest motivating adopters — could be enlightened by revisiting the foundations. Alexander concisely presented 4 points, and then provided detailed reasoning for each:"

The four arguments put forth by David Ing, make the case for a deeper or more comprehensive reality, whether arising from the interaction of elements when a System is considered as a whole or from Patterns that having a naturally arising complexity are capable of extended coherence between the built and natural environment.

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1. There are two ideas hidden in the word system: the idea of a system as a whole and the idea of a generating system.

2. A system as a whole is not an object but a way of looking at an object. It focuses on some holistic property which can only be understood as a product of interaction among parts..

3. A generating system is not a view of a single thing. It is a kit of parts, with rules about the way these parts may be combined..

4. Almost every ‘system as a whole’ is generated by a ‘generating system’. If we wish to make things which function as ‘wholes’ we shall have to invent generating systems to create them. [Alexander 2011, p. 59; Alexander 1968, p. 605] In a properly functioning building, the building and the people in it together form a whole: a social, human whole. The building systems which have so far been created do not in this sense generate wholes at all. [Alexander 2011, p. 58; Alexander 1968, p. 605].

The question is raised then.
Are there Underlying Principles from Systems Thinking and Pattern Principles that actually connect the two approaches together?

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