國際系統科學協會 – 健康與系統思維特別整合小組 International Society for the Systems Sciences – Health and System thinking Special Integration Group

International Society for the Systems Sciences ISSS
Health and Systems Thinking Special Integration Group SIG
國際系統科學協會健康與系統思維特別整合小組

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of health in their constitution is: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” We employ the Chinese five elements systems theory to categorize health systems into physical health (Earth), mental health (Wood), emotional health (Fire), behavioural health (Metal), and spiritual health (Water). This Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Systemic Healthcare Engineering theory can be applied according to the viewpoint of any particular observer. Further study reveals that the same structure could be also applied to the levels above and below the particular observer level, as well as the interactions between the levels. http://www.yinyangbalance.asia/blog/?p=2282

A Five Elements Level i+-1 system structure is proposed as an observer-system structure. Every point of view (Wood) will have its own choice of perspectives (Water), which will form a particular observer and hence a specific set of analysis (Fire), behaviour (Metal) and physical systems (Earth). These points of view could originate from DNA level, virus level, cell level, human individual level, organizational level, governmental level, or even the whole earth level.

Extending the theories for systemic health of human into the systemic health of any systems with any observer’s point of view, is the development towards the General System Theory. Hopefully we will eventually meet with other Special Integration Groups at the same point with similar systems theories. We are also looking forward to the moment when the western systems theories meets with the eastern systems theories, and together they integrate to benefit the world in solving complex problems.

If you share this vision (Wood), then I invite you to use this insightful gut feeling (Fire) through your heart to make it happen (Metal), by submitting your papers (Earth) or coming to the Conference for group discussions (Earth). We will all benefit from the pool of knowledge stored in the environment of perspectives (Water) accumulated in all the experts and members of International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS).

Let us discuss health and any kinds of systems thinking at any of the above areas and levels. Abstract presentations are also welcome. Let us take this opportunity during this systems thinking age, to investigate how a particular health issue could be analyzed with systems thinking, and evolve together for better understanding of the issue and for feasible systemic solutions.

This is a project that cannot be accomplished by one pair of hands. This is indeed a historical milestone that requires a collective mind-sharing to establish. I appeal to your support and look forward to your contributions.

Traditional and Modern, Eastern and Western, Reductionism and Systemic

Reductionism was the major scientific view before world war II, its development leads to industrial revolution and modern medicine. Traditional medicine like Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, and Western Herbal Medicine was then considered as alternative medicine because they are seem incompatible with reductionism and allopathic medicine. However, reductionism was found to be a incomplete scientific view after world war II and a more holistic scientific view was developed namely system theory.Systemic thinking is to consider both the system and the environment when analyzing or maintaining a system, or its environment. When analyzing a particular component within a system, all other components should be considered as well.

Traditional medicine has been analyzed with the incomplete scientific theory for logical explanations about its medical theory and practice, resulting in confusion and misunderstanding.  Papers or discussions which  will demonstrate  the application of system theory to investigate the holistic nature of any kind of traditional or alternative medicine are welcome for us to better understood medicine.

Modern medicine was developed through reductionism. Papers or discussions which will demonstrate the applications of system theory to investigate the holistic nature of any part of modern medicine are welcome. This may involve any medical or healthcare problems, departments, programs, organizations or personnels.

 

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