LC 00347

The Social Theory (ST) process is geared towards discovering a shared meaning on the basis of mutual understandings. It is a circular, never ending process that continuously reassesses lessons learned from concrete activities. So, shared meaning is not carved in stone. It is part of our tradition, which evolves as result of changing circumstances that requires to reconsider our relation with the outside world, including advancements in science and technology.

Principle: tradition is overarching.

Learning takes place on at least two levels. The first learning level is about understanding the ins and outs of the problematic situation at hand. The second learning level is to understand the ST process itself and to acquire the skills to be engaged in the ST process. (And yet at another level, the originators of EMM and ST learn from these learnings.)

The circular ST process is shown below. It is comprised of four main processes that transform a given input to some output. This corresponds to the classical conception of systems thinking in which a system performs a purposeful input-output transformation (see …). The overarching, circular ST process, however, adheres to the second-order system concept of self-producing in order to sustain itself in changing circumstances (see …). The reason of being (raison d’être) is our cultural identity expressed as “what we are” and observed in “what we do”.

Principle: We are living in a reflexive domain in which cause and effect coincide.

Principle: a system comprised of a number of interacting feedback loops is a complex system whose behavior can surprise us.

Principle: we have to become what we are not, and yet remain the same.

Principle: the constant factor in life is movement.

• Lees hiervoor:
  Social Theory of a Sustainable Collaborative Learning Society
• Lees hierna:
  Implementation Process