Thinking (in) complexity : (In) definitions and (mis)conceptions

Abstract The rise of complexity sciences has led to the development of new language about systems. Concepts such as ?complex systems thinking? or ?complexity thinking? have appeared in the literature, appealing to ways of thinking (in) complexity. The notion of ?complex thinking,? may be considered as referring to a mode of thinking more congruent with the complexity of the world. The widespread and sometimes undifferentiated usage of these concepts results in a lack of clarity and terminological confusion, which jeopardizes their heuristic and pragmatic value. We identify literature using terms related to thinking (in) complexity and use a combination of computational and qualitative methods to extract definitions and analyse their usage. We map the relationships of the concepts and their usage across different intellectual communities. Our goal is to clarify these concepts and to strengthen their pragmatic value for the promotion and management of positive changes in complex systems

What is love? A complex systems perspective

Love is a fundamental dimension of being human and a powerful resource for flourishing and well-being. Yet, it is still insufficiently understood. Despite advances, the Science of Love remains a fragmented field, producing mostly partial, fragmented and unintegrated views on love. In this paper, we present a novel perspective on love based on a complex systems perspective, building from a theoretical framework of families and family relationships as complex systems. We establish a set of preliminary assumptions for the development of an Integrated Theory of the Complexity of Love (C.ofLove) and for a novel inter and transdisciplinary research approach, as the foundations for an Integrated Science of Love

A Complexity-Informed Methodology for Interdisciplinary Dialogues: Key Questions and Challenges for Theory, Research and Practice on Modes of Thinking (In) Complexity

The study of complex systems has led to deep transformations in our modes of thinking, challenging our conceptions of reality and, with them, our roles and possibilities for action as agents in a complex world. A variety of modes of thinking co-exist within the fuzzy boundaries of the domain of complexity studies. Different modes of thinking complexity and of thinking ‘in’ complexity (enacting its principles) can be distinguished in the literature, even though they are not always explicitly identified. Despite the seminal calls of Edgar Morin for the development of more generalised modes of complex thinking, this is still an underdeveloped area of research and practice under the scope of Complexity Studies. This paper aims to make a contribution to the understanding of complexity and complex systems by offering a discussion around the complexity of the modes of thinking complexity. We report both the process and the outcomes of an interdisciplinary workshop aimed at identifying key theoretical, empirical, methodological and pragmatic challenges and questions pertaining to how we think, build, coordinate and practise different modes of thinking complexity and of thinking in complexity (thinking complexly). The workshop adopted a collaborative and dialogical approach organised by a methodology grounded in a theoretical framework for the practice of complex thinking. The methodology was designed to support complex relational dialogues and facilitate emergence (e.g. of new ideas; approaches; levels of understanding; solutions) in the collective discussion. We conducted a mixed-method evaluation of both the process and contents of the discussion using a combination of inductive qualitative thematic analysis and network analysis. The results point towards new areas for interdisciplinary research and practice, signposting domains that have been under explored within the realm of complexity studies and complexity sciences