The systemic approach focuses on the study of the individual within the network of their
significant relationships.
Starting from the cornerstone idea of Gregory Bateson, "systemics" (to use Heinz von Foerster's term)
it has undergone significant development that has impacted many fields within the human sciences.
In particular, Gregory Bateson's concept of "mind," as that which "connects"
living systems and creates frameworks that "make sense," underpins
the systemic counselling approach.
The systemic perspective has continually evolved since the 1950s through a journey
that began with early studies on the Pragmatics of Human Communication, through Cybernetics of
observing systems, leading to insights related to Constructivism and Social
Constructionism.
Shifting the focus from the individual to relationships
The major revolution of systemic thinking is the shift in focus from the individual to relationships,
understood in the broadest sense as a "network" of connections between living systems.
Linear and "scientific" cause-and-effect reasoning is somewhat rejected,
and thought transforms into a circular and complex vision of living systems.
Key figures in systemic thinking,
(in addition to G. Bateson, Maturana, Varela, Watzlawick, Keeney, Ross, von Foerster, and many others)
developed a circular and cybernetic perspective, which values the history and
relational functioning of the individual. One's history isn't seen as a fixed roadmap guiding the present or future;
every outcome remains open-ended, shaped by endless potentialities
rather than predetermined assumptions.
I am a professional within the scope of the Legge 14 gennaio 2013, n. 4
(Disposizioni in materia di professioni non organizzate).
Copyright @Chiara Veneri 2024
