General Systems Theory: An Inquiry into Its Social Philosophy

Abstract

This essay examines some of the values and assumptions of General Systems Theory (GST) in an attempt to show that: () Many concepts composing GST constitute nonrefutable hypotheses which serve the purposes of social philosophy as well as those of science; () The basic tenets of GST are held in common with structural functionalism making it subject to the same criticisms commonly associated with the functionalist approach within sociology; and () The premises of consensus, growth, and hierarchy are basic to GST formulations found within administrative theory. These values and assumptions cause theories developed within the paradigm of GST to be ideologically biased toward an order perspective which emphasizes stability and system maintenance rather than change. Also, the order perspective views conflict as dysfunctional rather than as a source of organizational adaptation.