| Systems theory was proposed in the 1940's by
the biologist Ludwig von Bertalanffy.
Instead of reducing a biological system, such as a plant or animal, to
parts (organs or cells), systems theory accepts that each identifiable
component is related to other parts. The entire system works together but
each sub-system is identified by the unique activity that occurs within
it.
von Bertalanffy
1901-1972
A system is an arrangement (pattern, design) of
parts that interact with each other within the system's boundaries (form,
structure, organization) to function as a whole. The nature (purpose, operation)
of the whole is always different from, and more than, the sum of its unassembled
collection of parts. And each system functions within a larger constellation
of systems. The following illustration is adapted from (Andrews &
Henn, 1999):
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A tractor is a system comprised of many mechanical,
electrical, electronic sub-systems for propulsion, steering, lighting,
seating, etc. The boundaries of each sub-system "interface" (connect) with
one or more of the others. Successful interfacing of sub-systems is called
"systems integration."
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A farm is an integrated system of living (the farmer,
crops, animals, weeds, insects) and non-living (the tractor, barn, house,
machinery, fertilizer) subsystems.
  
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The farmer and the tractor are "open" systems because
they need fuel and maintenance from outside sources in order to function.
 
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The tractor is a part of an off-highway transportation
system as well as part of an agricultural production system. Each of these
systems is part of a hierarchy of larger, interactive, transportation,
production, economic, social, political, ecological, and energy systems
on a local, regional, national and global scale.
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As Andrews and Henn put it, there are networks within
networks, systems within systems, various parts of which are physically,
chemically and/or socially interrelated in an endless ever-changing (dynamic)
web of matter and energy from the smallest atom to the largest galaxy to
the universe itself.
This is an illustration of systems thinking, a
metaphor for understanding the family, neighborhood, community, social
systems, the Earth and the universe..
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