[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Critical Systems Thinking: An Evolving Systemic Approach

## Details

**Authors** Pinzon-Salcedo LA

**Year** 2023

**Publisher** Journal of Systems Thinking 3(1):1-14

**Kind of work** article

**Discipline** Systems Science

**Reading level** technical

**Kind of engagement** scholarly

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.54120/jost.0000019) 
10.54120/jost.0000019

## In authors' words

### Abstract

This chapter describes the development of critical systems thinking, its basic themes, and a practical application that had an effect on the lives of millions of people. The chapter presents the way critical systems thinking emerged, as well as an account of some of the important contributions that it produced in the last decades. Its two key cornerstones are discussed: the emancipatory-oriented strand and the pluralism-oriented strand. Subsequently, the basic themes or commitments of this field are presented, and an instance of a real life implementation that involved the participation of a wide variety of stakeholders and communities. This application illustrates some of the main themes and principles of critical systems thinking, as well as the significant impact it can have in the wellbeing of societies and organisations. Finally, some future potential developments of critical systems thinking are presented, showing its dynamism and capacity to transform the systems approach theory and practice.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

A chapter on the development of critical systems thinking: its emancipatory-oriented and pluralism-oriented strands, its basic commitments, and a real-life application that affected millions of people.

### What they found (results)

CST's two cornerstones — emancipation and pluralism — have had significant impact on the wellbeing of societies and organizations, and the field keeps transforming systems theory and practice.

## Commentary

### In short

Traces the development and main themes of critical systems thinking and describes one large real-world application.

### Response

Published in the Handbook of Systems Thinking (Cabrera, Cabrera & Midgley, eds., 2023), a volume built on the premise that systems thinking now has a universal theory—DSRP-484. Its contents were selected on that basis by its editorial team in concert with a team of advisors. The chapter closes by naming the development of a fourth wave of systems thinking as a direction for critical systems thinking, written for the volume that names DSRP-484 as that wave.

**Patterns it shows** P

## Refers to

- [Handbook of Systems Thinking](https://dsrpevidence.org/element/382)

**How to cite this** Pinzon-Salcedo LA (2023). Critical Systems Thinking: An Evolving Systemic Approach. Journal of Systems Thinking 3(1):1-14.