Table of Contents

Preface 1. Introduction Part I. The System Concept: 2. Systems, domains, and truth assertions 3. Sysreps and the human mind Part II. Complexity: 4. An index for complexity 5. Thinking about complex systems 6. Feedback as a source of complexity Part III. Structure: 7. Hierarchy as a structural feature: the hierarchy of constitution 8. Interfaces of mutual constraint and levels of control: Polyanyi's principle 9. The theory of dimensions 10. Integrated control information 11. Disciplines at one level: disciplines and the human design process 12. Consistency as a primary criterion: the limits of reductionism and synoptism 13. Operational procedures in forming sysreps for compex systems 14. Examples of multidisciplinary anaylsis 15. The evolution of disciplines, 1500-1900 16. Relations among the disciplines in the twentieth century: similarities and differences Part IV. Fallacies of Projection: 17. Fallacies of projection: illustrations 18. Fallacies of projection: possible sources Part V. Conclusions: 19. What have we learned? A summary of results and conclusions 20. What have we learned? Implications and inferences Appendix A. Implications for education Appendix B. Two standing bets Appendix C. Hypotheses, guidelines, dicta, and queries Appendix D. Glossary References Index.

Reviews

"This very valuable book presents a stunning case for the necessity of multidisciplinary studies. It demonstrates, through impressive quantitative and logical argument, that reductionist paradigms are insufficient to tackle the compelling questions raised by highly complex systems - much less to solve most of the problems facing today's college students." - Bryan Pfaffenberger, University of Virginia "This very important book provides a careful look at the inadequacies of our present approach to understanding and learning. There has been an explosion of work focusing on complexity, but Kline does what most of this work does not do: he both identifies the deficiencies of reductionism and provides a structure for moving toward complexity." - Don E. Kash, George Mason University "Refreshingly bold in his approach, the author is not merely concerned with the "advantages" or "attractiveness" of multidisciplinary approaches to contemporary problems. Rather, he argues in a robust manner for the necessity of multidisciplinary discourse... The book is written in an accessible style that is far from dry and, without sliding into flippancy, pithy humour is evident throughout." - Patrick J. J. Phillips