Thinking in Systems

Article By Florimond Krins

posted by UK, March 28, 2026

In her book Thinking in Systems published posthumously, Donella H. Meadows, co-author of the ground-breaking The Limits to Growth (1972), shows us a different, yet not so new, way of looking at reality – a reality where all organisms, large and small, can be seen as systems, meaning that nothing in the universe truly works in isolation. It is an approach that brings modern science and ancient wisdom closer together.

Her description of systems includes all structures that work with stocks, flows and retroaction loops. Such systems can be anything from living organisms to galaxies and can describe small communities, nation states or societies. Systems can be quantified using models, which are scientific and mathematical ways of describing reality. For example, the World3 model used in The Limits to Growth was supposed to simulate the relationship through time between five variables: population, food production, industrialization, pollution and consumption of non-renewable resources.

If we take population as an example, we can see how the population of a species can be modelled with the inflow of births and the outflow of deaths. The flow of births is controlled by the fertility rate, and the flow of deaths by the mortality rate. Feedback loops can help improve the fertility rate by using contraception or various social policies, and the mortality rate can be improved by better health and social care.

But models, even the most advanced ones, can never describe reality as a whole and need to be constantly improved and modified. They can, however, simulate the non-linear behaviour of systems to some extent.

This is very important, as all systems have thresholds, peaks and collapses. A system might respond to a linear setting change in a linear way, for a short time, until a threshold is attained. Understanding systems is important, as we can help correct them if they start malfunctioning. We can check feedback loops: are they functioning properly? Is there good communication within the system that reports when stocks are too low, or flows are too high? Are the sources feeding the systems renewed or even renewable? Is the flow much higher than the stock can sustain?

More impactful ways of changing a system are the goals: complex systems, with subsystems, might have different goals. Maybe the common goal has changed or shifted far from the original.

Meadows emphasizes that the way one can act on a malfunctioning system can vary greatly, depending on whether we focus on the symptoms or the cause. Focusing on symptoms or measured variables indicating quantity rather than quality can be as useful as arranging deckchairs on the Titanic as it sinks.

A more effective way of changing a system can be by modifying the organizing structure or unifying the goals. As human beings we use paradigms, stories and myths to make sense of the world around us. Such ideals can be quite detached from the reality of the system. Paradigms or concepts are manmade, therefore flawed, and can be improved. Ultimately there are no absolute paradigms that can explain everything in their entirety.

There are no paradigms that are above the truth or an objective reality, just as there are no models that can describe reality with absolute accuracy. Thinking in systems is not the solution to everything, but it might get us closer to seeing what connects us with the whole.

 

Image Credits: BY Tara Winstead | Pexels |

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Image References
BY Tara Winstead | Pexels |