General Systems Theory:


Pioneer and Founder of Systems Thinking:

Ludwig von Bertalanffy

Karl Ludwig von Bertalanffy is the founding father of the General System Theory. He contributed to the reconciliation of science and humanities, materialism and idealism, body and mind. He was also recognized for his discoveries in comparative physiology of metabolism and growth, and the explicit identification of laws governing the processes of growth and adaptation.


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Pioneer:

Russell Ackoff

In the 20th century the principal guru of General Systems Theory and the Systems Thinking School of Thought was Russell Ackoff. His work is the most indicative of a pure, direct time from Ludwig von Bertalanffy and the Society for General Systems Research.


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Master-Expert & Expert Coordinator:

Stephen Haines

Stephen Haines is the Association’s Master-Expert &Research Coordinator for the General Systems Theory School of Thought. Steve has led the Best Practices research development and expansion of Systems Thinking and Strategic Management for more than 30 years. He has also developed over 500 practical applications of Systems Thinking through is his publishing firm Systems Thinking Press®.

Association members who wish to add to the General Systems Theory materials and research section can submit inquiries to Steve here.

Father of Systems Thinking:

Precurser to Systems Thinking:

  1. Cybernetics

Schools of Thought:

  1. General Systems Theory (GST)
  2. Complexity and Complex Adaptive Systems
  3. Systems Dynamics (SD)
  4. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)

Applications