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"Assessing assumptions about boundaries with critical systems heuristics."

PDF version of a blog discussion in the Integration and Implementation Insights (i2Insights) blogging site, ed. by Gabriele Bammer, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Acton, Australia, 24 May 2022.

Source: https://i2insights.org/2022/05/24/critical-systems-heuristics/

Ulrich (2022a)
How can researchers reflect on their assumptions about where they set boundaries around problems, solutions, measures of success, knowledge claims and other aspects of research? And how can examination of such assumptions be employed as an emancipatory practice to assess the assumptions of others and to point to better ways of serving the disenfranchised and marginalized? A short summary of CSH by its author with several comments by readers and replies by the author.

804
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"Can we discipline 'alternative facts'? Towards a new critical competence."

Academia Letters, No. 332, 25 Feb 2021
https://doi.org/10.20935/AL332
PDF version of the published essay.

Ulrich (2021b)
Is there such a thing as "alternative facts"? This short essay goes beyond the overly simplistic assumption that has dominated the controversy, that facts are either true or false. It explains why in so many discussions the parties have reasons to see "the facts" differently and thus, if only they understood these reasons, could avoid talking at cross-purposes and accusing one another of having got their facts wrong. Perhaps, then, there is indeed a chance that people could learn to deal constructively with such situations and learn to employ "facts" in systematically critical ways?

143 KB

"The idea of boundary critique. Farewell to Ulrich's Bimonthly."

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, March-April-May 2018 (in this site).*

With an Appendix (in PDF only) offering my

Erskine Science Prestige Lecture of 1999
(Univ. of Canterbury, Christchurch, NZ) on
"Systems Thinking as if People Mattered:
Toward a Knowledge Democracy"

Ulrich (2018b) and Ulrich (2018c)

This last regular Bimonthly essay casts a glance back as well as ahead. In an "Interview with myself" I review some of the ideas that were inspiring my work on critical systems heuristics.

In the Appendix, I then offer my thus far unpublished Erskine Science Prestige Lecture, presented to the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, in May 1999, on a vision for the future that I connect with my work, the idea of a "knowledge democracy."

267 KB

146 KB

Bimonthly

Erskine Science Lecture

"Reference systems for boundary critique: a postscript to �Systems thinking as if people mattered�"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, January-February 2018 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2018a)

A discussion of the four types of reference systems for boundary critique distinguished in the two previous essays (Ulrich, 2017d and e), with the aim of embedding them in a multi-level concept of rational practice and rationality critique.

386 KB

"Systems thinking as if people mattered.
Part 2/2: Practicing boundary critique"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, November-December 2017 (in this site).*

The second and final part of this completely rewritten, expanded and updated version of a Working Paper of 1998 on the author's research program on CST for professionals & citizens.

Ulrich (2017e)

How can boundary critique, as introduced in Part 1 of this two-part essay, be practiced so as to provide a new critical competence to ordinary citizens and professionals? And what might such a new critical competence mean for contemporary professional and management education?

401 KB

"Systems thinking as if people mattered.
Part 1/2: A plea for boundary critique"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, September-October 2017 (in this site).*

Completely rewritten, expanded and updated version of a Working Paper of 1998 that presented my research program on "critical systems thinking for citizens" (now CST for professionals & citizens).

Ulrich (2017d)

What can boundary critique, the core principle of my work on critical systems heuristics (CSH), contribute to the revival of civil society? How can citizens acquire a new competence in citizenship? This essay proposes, perhaps somewhat surprisingly at first, that systems thinking, properly understood, can become a source of such competence.

343 KB

"If systems thinking is the answer, what is the question? Discussions on research competence"

Integral PDF version of the two-part essay in Ulrich's Bimonthly, May-June and July-August 2017 (in this site).*

Revised, expanded and updated version of a Working Paper originally published in hard print (June 1998) and more recently in a first, slightly edited PDF version (April 2017); the present, expanded version is also the first to appear in open-access HTML format.

Ulrich (2017c)

A discussion of the nature of research competence in the applied disciplines, especially as seen from a perspective of critical systems thinking. The essay addresses research students and professionals in a direct and personal way.

325 KB

"The concept of systemic triangulation: its intent and imagery"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, March-April 2017 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2017b)

Systemic triangulation is an extension of the conventional concept of triangulation in science, that is, of the use of multiple methods and data sources. It draws on the author's work on critical systems heuristics and its methodological core principle of boundary critique, so as to systematically uncover the anatomy of selectivity of claims to knowledge, rationality, and improvement, particularly in the applied disciplines. The underlying imagery is explained in terms of the author's "eternal triangle of boundary critique."

206 KB

"The rational, the moral, and the general: an exploration. Part 7: Critical contextualization"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, November-December 2016 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2016f)

The exploration of the role of general ideas in rational inquiry and practice continues with some basic considerations, inspired by Upanishadic thought, on how to practice their critical contextualization. The focus is on situational meaning clarification, as distinguished from the task of validity critique, which will be the topic of the next and final essay in the series (in prep.).

442 KB

"Critical Pragmatism for professionals: some comments"
Reflections on Critical Pragmatism, Part 8.
By Guest Author Richard J. Ormerod, Plymouth, UK.

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, May-June 2016 (in this site).*

Ormerod, R.J. (2016)

On operationalizing critical pragmatism for professional practice: an open letter to Werner Ulrich.

202 KB

"Philosophy for professionals: towards critical pragmatism"

Reflections on Critical Pragmatism, Part 7. Updated and expanded version of a discussion paper first published in the Journal of the Operational Research Society (Ulrich, 2007e).

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, March-April 2016 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2016c)

Argues that well-understood pragmatism could furnish a key element of a future philosophy for professionals, but that a few methodological shortcomings need to be overcome to this end. The aim is to develop pragmatist thought into a framework of critical pragmatism.

166 KB

"Forschende Systeme"

�ber C. West Churchman, "The Design of Inquiring Systems�, New York: Basic Books 1971.*

Prepublication version of a review essay (in German language) published in Dirk Baecker (ed.), Schl�sselwerke der Systemtheorie, 2nd edn. Wiesbaden, Germany: Springer VS., 2016; rev. version in 3rd edn., 2020. The HTML version is available in the "Tribute to C. West Churchman" section of this site or in the "Reviews" section of the author's Academia.edu page. For an English version, see Ulrich 2015h.

Ulrich (2016b)

K�nnte man einem Computer das Forschen beibringen? C.W. Churchman versucht, klassische Werke der Erkenntnistheorie (Leibniz, Locke, Kant, Hegel, und E.A. Singer) als Entw�rfe f�r "forschende" Systems im vollen Sinne des Wortes von "erforschen" und "nachfragen" zu verstehen und daraus neue Einsichten f�r das Verst�ndnis und die Gestaltung invformationsveerarbeitender Systeme zu gewinnen.

134 KB

"The way of inquiring systems"

A review of C.W. Churchman's "The Design of Inquiring Systems." *

Expanded and updated version of a review originally published in 1985. The HTML version is available in the "Tribute to C. West Churchman" section of this site, as well as in the "Reviews" section of the author's Academia.edu page.

Ulrich (2015h)

The essay reviews one of the most original books by the former UC Berkeley management scientist, research philosopher and pioneer of the �systems approach� as well as of the field of �operations research,� C. West Churchman..What might we learn from classical theorists of knowledge (Leibniz, Locke, Kant, Hegel, E.A. Singer) about the design of intelligent, information-processing systems?

107 KB

"The rational, the moral, and the general: an exploration. Part 6: Ideas in ancient Indian thought / Discussion"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, September-October 2015 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2015g)

In this continuation of our current exploration of the world of ideas of ancient India, the example of the famous first verse of the Isha Upanishad is discussed with a view to what it might mean for contemporary professionals.

288 KB

"The art of interconnected thinking: Frederic Vester's biocybernetic systems approach"

Updated and expanded review of 21 Oct 2015, originally published as review of a book that had not yet been translated into English at the time, in Journal of Research Practice 1, No. 1, 2005, article R2. The present, revised version is also available in the Reviews section of the author's Academia.edu  page. *

Ulrich (2015f)

Introduction to a relatively unknown pioneer of systems thinking in the German speaking countries, by means of a review of his book "The Art of Interconnected Thinking: Tools and Concepts for a New Approach to Tackling Complexity" (Munich, Germany: MCB Verlag, 2007).

95 KB

"The rational, the moral, and the general: an exploration. Part 5 (revised): Ideas in ancient Indian thought / Analysis"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, May-June 2015 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2015e)

Revised version of the continuation of this series with an analysis of three selected Upanishadic ideas, brahman, atman, and jagat (original version: Bimonthly of November-December, 2014), emphasizing once again an analytical and methodological reading.

410 KB

"Kant's rational ethics"

A review of 'Immanuel Kant's 'Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals' of 1786 in the translation by H.J. Paton (1964). Expanded version of an Amazon Customer Review of 2011, which in turn was based on my essay "Practical reason and rational ethics: Kant," Reflections on Reflective Practice (5/7). Ulrich's Bimonthly, March-April 2009 (listed below in this page).*

Ulrich (2015d)

In the third and final article of this trilogy of short reviews dedicated to Kant�s practical philosophy, Kant has the word. What does his major work on ethics, the Grundlegung (foundation) of his moral theory, still have to tell us today about the problem of grounding ethics, why should we still read it?

77 KB

"Kant's public construction of reason"

A review of Onora O'Neill's 'Constructions of Reason: Explorations of Kant's Practical Philosophy' (1989). Expanded version of an Amazon Customer Review of 2011, which in turn was based on my essay "What is good professional practice? Part 2: The quest for practical reason" in Ulrich's Bimonthly, May-June 2011 (listed below in this page).*

Ulrich (2015c)

This second contribution to a trilogy of short reviews dedicated to Kant�s practical philosophy focuses on the deep connections between reason and politics in his ethics. They unfold into Kant�s fundamental conception of the public use of reason.

70 KB

"Kant's way to peace"

A review of Hans Saner's 'Kant's Political Thought: Its Origins and Development' (1973). Expanded version of an Amazon Customer Review of 2011, which in turn was based on my essay "What is good professional practice? Part 2: The quest for practical reason" in Ulrich's Bimonthly, May-June 2011 (listed below in this page).*

Ulrich (2015b)

In a trilogy of short reviews, the author presents three books that he considers essential reading for approaching Kantian practical philosophy today. This first contribution is dedicated to Saner�s penetrating analysis of Kant�s political thought as it emerges in his pre-critical writings and subsequently shapes his critical philosophy.

68 KB

"The rational, the moral, and the general: an exploration. Part 4 (revised): Ideas in ancient Indian thought / Introduction"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, March-April 2015 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2015a)

A second version of the introduction, in the Bimonthly of September-October 2014, to the world of ideas of ancient India, this time from a more pronounced analytical perspective, published separately in the interest of allowing comparison and ensuring stable web content

306 KB

"The rational, the moral, and the general: an exploration. Part 5: Ideas in ancient Indian thought / Analysis"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, November-December 2014 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2014f)

Continues the introduction to the world of ideas of ancient India with an analysis of three selected Upanishadic ideas, brahman, atman, and jagat.

366 KB

"The rational, the moral, and the general: an exploration. Part 4: Ideas in ancient Indian thought / Introduction"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, September-October 2014 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2014e)

An introduction to the world of ideas of ancient India, as represented by the Vedic tradition of thought and esp. the Upanishads.

306 KB

"The rational, the moral, and the general: an exploration. Part 3: Approximating ideas � towards critical contextualism"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, July-August 2014 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2014d)

The third essay in this series asks how essential ideas of reason such as the moral idea and the systems idea can become useful guides for practice, despite their abstract and general nature.

392 KB

"Ten years of connecting researchers"
(authors: D.P. Dash and W. Ulrich).

PDF file of an editorial published in the Journal of Research Practice, 10, No. 1, Article E1 (22 April 2014).

Dash and Ulrich (2014)

A brief review and some emerging themes of the first ten years of a rather unconventional research journal.

66 KB

"The rational, the moral, and the general: an exploration. Part 2: Kant's ideas of reason"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, January-February 2014 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2014a)

The second exploratory essay on the role of general ideas in rational thought and action, with a focus on Kant's understanding of general ideas of reason.

225 KB

"The rational, the moral, and the general: an exploration. Part 1: Introduction; discourse ethics"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, September-October 2013 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2013f)

First of a series of short exploratory essays on the role of general ideas, such as particularly the moral idea, in rational thought and action as seen from different vantage points; introduces the topic and discusses discourse ethics in its light..

201 KB

"Research skills for the future: summary and critique of a comparative study in eight countries"
(authors: W. Ulrich and D.P. Dash).

A "Viewpoint" article published in the Journal of Research Practice, 9, No. 1, Article V1 (8 July 2013).
[HTML] http://jrp.icaap.org/index.php/jrp/article/view/377/304
[PDF] http://jrp.icaap.org/index.php/jrp/article/view/377/330

Ulrich and Dash (2013)

What key research competencies will researchers and professionals need to have in the future? Summary and critical discussion of a comparative study undertaken by two major international consulting companies on the situation in eight research-intensive countries.

749 KB

"Reflections on reflective practice (6c/7): Discourse ethics and deliberative democracy, or the difficult path to communicative practice � Habermas 3 (1st half)"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, May-June 2013 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2013e)

First half of the third of three articles on the practical philosophy of Jurgen Habermas within the "Reflections on reflective practice" series.

356 KB

"CST's two ways: a concise account of critical systems thinking"

Prepublication version (with a new introductory note) of an entry on "Critical systems thinking" prepared for the Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Management Science (S. I. Gass and M.C. Fu, eds., New York: Springer, published in Nov 2013); PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, November-December 2012 (1 November 2012) (in this site).*

Ulrich (2012g)

A concise introduction to critical systems thinking (CST), with a non-partisan, comparative account of its two major strands, CSH and TSI. A new understanding of CST emerges in which both strands, although in different ways, focus on enhancing the contextual sophistication of professionals.

345 KB

"Operational research and critical systems thinking � an integrated perspective. Part 2: OR as argumentative practice"

Prepublication version of an article published in the Journal of the Operational Research Society, 63, No. 9 (21 September), pp. 1307-1322.

Reedited postpublication version (first open-access version in HTML) in Ulrich's Bimonthly, September-October 2016 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2012e)

How can critical systems thinking (CST) strengthen the competence profile of professionals? Considering the examples of operational research, policy analysis, and process consultation, an argumentation-theoretical view of professional competence is suggested. Along with Part 1 this yields an integrated perspective of professional competence in which CST finds a systematic place.

218 KB

"Operational research and critical systems thinking � an integrated perspective. Part 1: OR as applied systems thinking"

Prepublication version of an article published in the Journal of the Operational Research Society, 63, No. 9 (21 September), pp. 1228-1247.

Reedited postpublication version (first open-access version in HTML) in Ulrich's Bimonthly, July-August 2016 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2012d)

What does good operational research (OR) practice mean, and what can critical systems thinking (CST) do for it? This first of two parts reviews the idea and history of systems thinking in OR, situating CST within OR understood as applied systems thinking (AST). The two major strands of CST thus far, critical systems heuristics (CSH) and total systems intervention (TSI), are compared and reinterpreted with a view to what they can contribute to AST.

189 KB

"What is good professional practice?
Part 3: The quest for rational action"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, May-June 2012 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2012b)

Max Weber's influential ideal-types of rational action are analyzed and found deficient as a framework for guiding professional practice. An alternative three-level concept of rational practice is outlined and two examples are discussed.

309 KB

"Research, practice, and research practice"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, March-April 2012 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2012a)

This essay explains why understanding research as a form of practice is important for research theory and philosophy, and suggests two basic models for thinking about, and achieving, good research practice.

432 KB

"Towards a taxonomy of research practice"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, November-December 2011 (in this site).*
(Rev. version, 12 Feb 2012)

Ulrich (2011m)

A brief report about an initiative undertaken on behalf of the Journal of Research Practice to support good practice in reflecting on and writing about research.

633 KB

"A note on the convergence of Kant's concepts of rationality, morality, and politics"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, September-October 2011 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2011h)

There is a convergence of Kant's concepts of rationality, morality, and politics that is often ignored but which matters for understanding his work, as well as for meeting our epoch's urgent need for strengthening all forms of integrative thought.

870 KB

"Seneca on serenity, leisure, and philosophy"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, July-August 2011 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2011g)

Some leisurely reflections about reading � and practicing � Seneca.

543 KB

"What is good professional practice?
Part 2: The quest for practical reason"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, May-June 2011 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2011b)

The practical-normative dimension of reason is largely underrated, often ignored, in today's concept of professionalism; yet it touches upon some of the most fundamental and general aspects of rationality.

413 KB

"What is good professional practice?
Part 1: Introduction"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, March-April 2011 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2011a)

The importance of professionalism to modern societies can hardly be overrated. The more important it is to review the prevailing notion of "good" professional practice.

330 KB

"Exploring discourse ethics (2/2)"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, May-June 2010 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2010b)

Second half of an exploratory essay, includes a fictitious dialogue with Jurgen Habermas about his discourse ethics

502 KB

"Exploring discourse ethics (1/2)"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, March-April 2010 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2010a)

First half of an exploratory essay, preparing the announced third part of the introduction to Habermas' practical philosophy

453 KB

"Critical systems heuristics" (authors: W. Ulrich and M. Reynolds).

Ch. 6 from: M. Reynolds and S. Holwell (eds.), Systems Approaches to Managing Change: A Practical Guide, London: Springer, in association with The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK, pp. 243-292.

Original layout file, available from Open Research Online, The Open University�s repository of research publications, in agreement with Springer London Ltd. [For an overview of the five systems approaches introduced in this book, see http://oro.open.ac.uk/21297/ ]

Ulrich and Reynolds (2010)

A new introduction to critical systems heuristics, written jointly by the developer and an experienced practitioner of CSH. Explains core concepts in detail and illustrates their use by means of two case studies from the domain of environmental planning and management.

378 KB

"Reflections on reflective practice (6b/7): Argumentation theory and practical discourse � Habermas 2"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, November-December 2009 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2009f)

Second part of a three-part introduction to Habermas' practical philosophy, with a particular focus on methodological foundations.

373 KB

"Reflections on reflective practice (6a/7): Communicative rationality and formal pragmatics � Habermas 1"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, September-October 2009 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2009e)

First part of a three-part introduction to Habermas' practical philosophy, with a particular focus on methodological foundations

200 KB

"Cloudspotter's summer break: Reading Habermas in the garden chair"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, July-August 2009 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2009d)

Some notes on the experience of reading Habermas once again, some thirty years later

532 KB

"Reflections on reflective practice (5/7): Practical reason and rational ethics: Kant"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, March-April 2009 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2009c)

An introduction to Kant's practical philosophy, with special emphasis on the link it establishes � in the form of the principle of moral universalization � between ethics and rationality

554 KB

"Can we secure future-responsive management through systems thinking and design?"

Revised postpublication version of an article written in honor of C. West Churchman, originally published in Interfaces, 24, No. 4, 1994, pp. 26-37, and previously revised in 2002.*

Ulrich (2009b)

A discussion of the requirements of future-responsive management in the light of C.W. Churchman's philosophy of social systems design
(2009 revision)

269 KB

"Reflections on reflective practice (4/7): Philosophy of practice and Aristotelian virtue ethics"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, January-February 2009 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2009a)

To prepare the ground for mobilizing practical philosophy as a third pillar of reflective practice, this article offers a general introduction to practical philosophy, followed by a review of Aristotle's early ideas on the subject.

408 KB

"Practical reason: drawing the future into the present"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, November-December 2008 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2008e)

A Christmas reflection on the role of faith and its relation to practical reason, inspired by Benedict XVI's Encyclical letter Spe Salvi

295 KB

"Reflections on reflective practice (3/7): In search of practical reason"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, September-October 2008 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2008d)

A detailed review of the "personal knowledge" paradigm of the founding fathers of today's reflective practice mainstream reveals the deeper reasons for its failure to ground its concept of professional competence in practical philosophy, in addition to psychology and science theory. This leads to a basic exploration of what might be done to increase the appeal of practical philosophy to reflective practitioners.

353 KB

"Lugano Summer School (LSS 2008) memories"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, July-August 2008 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2008c)

Memories of the Doctoral and Postdoctoral Summer School on Soft and Critical Systems Thinking, which took place at the University of Lugano from the 2nd to the 13th of June, 2008. Includes photos of the class and contributions by participants.

425 KB

"Reflections on reflective practice (2/7): Applied science and expertise, or the art of testing and contesting practical claims"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, May-June 2008 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2008b)

A look at the role of science education today, and an attempt to redefine applied science and expertise so that they would be conducive to reflective professional practice

322 KB

"Reflections on reflective practice (1/7): The mainstream concept of reflective practice and its blind spot"

PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, March-April 2008 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2008a)

A critique of the soft (psychological) bent of the notion of "reflective practice" as it has developed in the professional education literature, and of the way this neglects essential challenges that professional education faces today.

294 KB

"The greening of pragmatism (3/3).
Part (iii): The way ahead"

(Reflections on critical pragmatism, Part 6)
PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, September-October 2007 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2007f)

An analysis of the interdependence of three methodological cornerstones of critical pragmatism � discourse theory (as understood in critical theory), pragmatic thought (as understood in American pragmatism), and reflective practice (as understood in critical heuristics)

392 KB

"Philosophy for professionals: towards critical pragmatism"

Prepublication version of a "Viewpoint" published in the Journal of the Operational Research Society 58, No. 8, 2007, pp. 1109-1113.

Ulrich (2007e)

Pragmatism may be one of the most underestimated philosophies of our epoch. Here are a few thoughts, prompted by a review of pragmatism in JORS, as to whether a critically revised pragmatism might not become the basis of a proper "philosophy for professionals."

127 KB

"The greening of pragmatism (2/3).
Part (ii): Current issues in developing critical pragmatism � a methodological trilemma"

(Reflections on critical pragmatism, Part 5)
PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, May-June 2007 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2007d)

A discussion of the way in which the proposed notion of critical pragmatism differs from other current notions, and of some of the methodological issues it raises

348 KB

"The greening of pragmatism (1/3). Part (i): The emergence of critical pragmatism"

(Reflections on critical pragmatism, Part 4)
PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, March-April 2007 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2007b)

A brief history of the term "critical pragmatism" reveals its emergence from the confluence of different strands of pragmatic thinking

255 KB

"Theory and practice II: the rise and fall of the 'primacy of theory'"

(Reflections on critical pragmatism, Part 3)
PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, January-February 2007 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2007a)

A critically pragmatist view of the relation of theory and practice (Part 2)

284 KB

"Theory and practice I: beyond theory"

(Reflections on critical pragmatism, Part 2)
PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, November-December 2006 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2006l)

A critically pragmatist view of the relation of theory and practice (Part 1)

211 KB

"Rethinking critically reflective research practice: beyond Popper's critical rationalism"

Published in Journal of Research Practice 2, No. 2, 2006, article P1. Also available in both HTML and PDF format directly in the  Journal's web site:

[HTML] http://jrp.icaap.org/index.php/jrp/article/view/64/63
[PDF] http://jrp.icaap.org/index.php/jrp/article/view/64/120 

Ulrich (2006k)

A critique of the foundationalist underpinnings of today's most widely adopted model of reflective research, the "fallibilist" model of critical rationalism and its "primacy of theory" doctrine

100 KB

"A plea for critical pragmatism"

(Reflections on critical pragmatism, Part 1)
PDF version of Ulrich's Bimonthly, September-October 2006 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2006i)

Introduction to a series of reflections on the aims, hopes, and chances that I associate with critical pragmatism, and the methodological challenge they imply towards a "critical turn" of pragmatism

211 KB

"The art of boundary crossing: another introduction to boundary critique"

PDF version of the Picture of the Month, May 2006 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2006f)

A brief introduction to the basic idea of boundary critique and its importance for the "critical turn" of systems thinking

569 KB

"Against plagiarism"

PDF version of the Picture of the Month, April 2006 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2006d)

A sequel to my previous plea for open access publishing, explains why open access is not to be confused with a license for Wild West in scholarship

298 KB

"The art of observation"

Published in Journal of Research Practice 2, No. 1, 2006, article R1. Also available in both HTML and PDF format directly in the Journal's web site:

[HTML] http://jrp.icaap.org/index.php/jrp/article/view/26/46
[PDF] http://jrp.icaap.org/index.php/jrp/article/view/26/72  

or from the review section of the author's Academia.edu page:

[HTML] https://unifr.academia.edu/WernerUlrich/Reviews

Ulrich (2006c)

Review of Christopher Alexander's cult book The Timeless Way of Building of 1979, with a focus on its central notion of "pattern languages" and what it teaches us about high-quality observation and design (expanded version of Ulrich, 2005g)

176 KB

"Open doors: a plea for open access publishing" (Part 2/2)  

PDF version of the PDF version of the Picture of the Month, March 2006 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2006b)

Second of two parts of my plea for open-access (OA) academic publishing

288 KB

"Open doors: a plea for open access publishing" (Part 1/2)

PDF version of the Picture of the Month, February 2006 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2006a)

An argument for the open-access philosophy of academic publishing, and a collection of resources on the topic (first of two parts)

292 KB

"High-quality design (ii): towards literacy in pattern languages"

PDF version of the Picture of the Month, November 2005 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2005h)

Brief review of C. Alexander's cult book The Timeless Way of Building of 1979 and some implications for reflective professional and research practice

434 KB

"A brief introduction to Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH)"

Original publication prepared for ECOSENSUS, an e-Social Science project of The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom (14 October 2005), also available at
http://projects.kmi.open.ac.uk/ecosensus

Ulrich (2005g)

A 15-page introduction to critical systems heuristics, both for beginners and for advanced students. (Note: beginners may prefer to start with the two very short mini-primers offered in the "CSH" section of this site, cf. Ulrich 2002a and 2002b)

226 KB

"The moon illusion: short history of a long-standing mystery of science"

PDF version of the Picture of the Month, July 2005 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2005f)

Review of a peculiar failure of science to explain a familiar everyday phenomenon

601 KB

"Can nature teach us good research practice? A critical look at Frederic Vester�s bio-cybernetic systems approach"

Published in Journal of Research Practice 1, No. 1, 2005, article R2. With a postscript of 10 April 2008 (in the HTML version only). Also available in both HTML and PDF format directly in the  Journal's web site:

[HTML] http://jrp.icaap.org/index.php/jrp/article/view/1/2
[PDF] http://jrp.icaap.org/index.php/jrp/arthttp://icle/view/1/1

Ulrich (2005e)

Review of F. Vester's book The Art of Interconnected Thinking: Tools and Concepts for a New Approach to Tackling Complexity (Munich: MBC Verlag, 2007), written in 2005 to introduce English-speaking readers to a book in German language that was not available in an English translation

56 KB

"On plagiarism: considerations for authors and reviewers"

PDF version of A note on plagiarism, February 2005 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2005d)

Explains the issue of plagiarism to authors from the perspective of editors and reviewers

66 KB

"The new globalization"

PDF version of the Picture of the Month, February 2005 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2005c)

A brief reflection on the ethical face of globalization and its implication for building a global civil society � the need for globalizing civil society to civilize globalization

277 KB

"Happy New Year? Reflecting on some conditions of peace."

PDF version of the Picture of the Month, January 2005
(in this site).*

Ulrich (2005a)

A New Year reflection on Kant's essay Perpetual Peace of 1795

278 KB

"The safe-harbor metaphor: a mistaken conception of professional competence"

PDF version of the Picture of the Month, November 2004 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2004i)

Professional practice as ship-at-sea repair, or the vain search for grand theory

267 KB

"Nordic transparency, or: Kant's quest for critique"

PDF version of the Picture of the Month, July 2004 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2004f)

Kant's dream of philosophical lucidity

303 KB

"In memory of C. West Churchman (1913-2004): reminiscences, retrospectives, and reflections"

Prepublication version (with definitive layout and pagination) of a tribute paper published in the Journal of Organisational Transformation and Social Change, 1, Nos. 2-3, 2004, pp. 199-219.

Ulrich (2004e)  

A commemorative essay on C.W. Churchman's life and work, with a section on the core concerns and concepts of his philosophy of social systems design

323 KB

"Remembering C. West Churchman (1913-2004)"

PDF version of the Picture of the Month, April 2004 (in this site).*

Ulrich (2004b)

Some personal recollections of C. West Churchman, with a photographic portrait, a short biography, some brief extracts from his writings, and links to other web pages dedicated to Churchman.

127 KB

"A brief introduction to 'Critical Systems Thinking for Professionals & Citizens'"

Short version of a talk given to the 8th International Conference on Systems Research, Informatics and Cybernetics (InterSymp '96) in Baden-Baden, Germany, August 14-18, 1996.*

Ulrich (2003b)

A short introduction to the author's research program "CST for professionals & citizens"

295 KB

"Pragmatizing critical systems thinking for professionals and citizens"

Revised and expanded version of a talk given to the Centre for Systems Studies at the University of Hull, UK, on 28 November 1995.*

Ulrich (2003a)

Another short introduction to the author's research program "CST for professionals & citizens"

300 KB

"A bibliography of C. West Churchman's writings from 1938 to 2001"

Updated and expanded version of a bibliography originally compiled in 1999 for the Web Site of the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS). First published as an independent on-line source in November 2002, last updated in April 2006.*

Ulrich (2002g) � 2006 revision and extension - now both in HTML and PDF format

A bibliographic source of reference for people interested in the work of one of the founding fathers of the fields of operations research, management science, and the "systems approach"

334 KB

"An appreciation of C. West Churchman"

Revised version of a contribution of 1999 to the Section "Luminaries of the Systems Approach" of the Web Site of the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS). The current version was first published in the Section "A Tribute to C.W. Churchman" of the present site in 20002 and previously updated in March 2006.*

Ulrich (2002f) � 2009 revision

A personal appreciation of C.W. Churchman's philosophy of social systems design, and the role it played in my work on critical systems heuristics
New update of 14 Dec 2009

273 KB

"Public policy analysis"

Prepublication version of a contribution to the Informed Student Guide to Management Science, ed. by H.G. Daellenbach and R.L. Flood, Thomson, London, 2002, pp. 213-215.

Ulrich (2002c)

A mini-introduction to the aims, history and present state of policy analysis

122 KB

"Critical systems heuristics"

Prepublication version of a contribution to the Informed Student Guide to Management Science, ed. by H.G. Daellenbach and R.L. Flood, Thomson, London, 2002, pp. 72-73.*

Ulrich (2002b)

The shortest available introduction to CSH

96 KB

"Boundary critique"

Prepublication version of a contribution to the Informed Student Guide to Management Science, ed. by H.G. Daellenbach and R.L. Flood, Thomson, London, 2002, pp. 41-42.*

Ulrich (2002a)

A very short introduction to the methodological core principle of CSH

104 KB

"Critically systemic discourse: a discursive approach to reflective practice in ISD (Part 2)"

Published in Journal of Information Technology Theory and Application (JITTA), 3, No. 3, 2001, 85-106 (online journal: http://jitta.org ).

Ulrich (2001c)

Outlines a practical framework for applying the "philosophical staircase" presented in Part 1 (Ulrich 2001b) as a way to promote reflective ISD practice

543 KB

"A philosophical staircase for information systems definition, design, and development: a discursive approach to reflective practice in ISD (Part 1)"

Published in Journal of Information Technology Theory and Application (JITTA), 3, No. 3, 2001, pp. 55-84 (online journal: http://jitta.org )

Ulrich (2001b)

Philosophical foundations of a critical approach to ISD, with special regard for a discursive approach

679 KB

"The quest for competence in systemic practice and research"

Prepublication version of a paper published in Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 18, No.1, 2001, pp. 247-268.

Ulrich (2001a)

How can we develop competence in research and practice?

332 KB

"Reflective practice in the civil society: the contribution of critically systemic thinking"

Prepublication version of a paper published in Reflective Practice, 1, No. 2, 2000, pp. 247-268.

Ulrich (2000a)

The most up-to-date account of my research program on CST for professionals & citizens; at the same time, a review of the current state of CSH and its implications for civil society

325 KB

"Systems Thinking as if People Mattered"

Working Paper No. 23, Lincoln Management School, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK, 1998, 15pp.

Ulrich (1998c)

An introduction to my research program "CST for professionals & citizens"

285 KB

"If Systems Thinking is the Answer, What is the Question?"

Working Paper No. 22, Lincoln Management School, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK, 1998, 19pp. Rev. postpublication version of 6 Apr 2017, 23pp. 

Ulrich (1998b)

A discussion of the nature of systemic research for research students and professionals who wish to develop their personal notion of competence.

780 KB

"A Primer to Critical Systems Heuristics for Action Researchers"

Centre for Systems Studies, University of Hull, Hull, UK, 31 March 1996, 58pp; digital version of 10 August 2014, 58pp.

Ulrich (1996a) � 2014 online version

One of the most popular introductions to CSH is now finally available online, with unchanged text, layout, and pagination except for some minor editorial and layout corrections

457 KB

"Can we secure future-responsive management through systems thinking and design?"

Revised postpublication version of an article written in honor of C. West Churchman, originally published in Interfaces, 24, No. 4, 1994, pp. 26-37, and previously revised in 2002.*

Ulrich (1994) � 2009 revision
A discussion of the requirements of future-responsive management in the light of C.W. Churchman's philosophy of social systems design. New update of 12 Dec 2009
(with new layout and minor editorial amendments)

223 KB

"Some difficulties of ecological thinking, considered from a critical systems perspective: a plea for critical holism"

Revised postpublication version of a paper first published in Systems Practice, 6, No. 6, 1993, pp. 583-611.

Ulrich (1993)

Can systems thinking remedy the difficulties of ecological thinking? The need for a critically normative concept of ecology

278 KB

"Critical systems thinking and ethics"

Scanned version of a paper first published in Banathy, B.H., and Banathy, B.A. (eds.), Towards a Just Society for Future Generations. Proceedings of the 34th Annual Meeting of the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS) in Portland, Oregon, 1990, Vol. 1. Pomona, CA: ISSS, 1990, pp. 52-75..

A talk presented to the three-day symposium on "Critical Systems Thinking" held at the 34th Annual Meeting of the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS) of 1990 in Portland, Oregon.

Ulrich (1990)

Ethics and systems thinking have more in common than is generally recognized. Following a critical overview of some limitations of traditional ethics, two potential candidates for such a new ethics are analyzed, "communicative ethics" and "ethics of whole systems." The paper finds that the two approaches can support one another but both need to be revised n the terms of a critical solution to the problem of practical reason as it has been advanced in the author's work on critical systems heuristics (CSH). A new *critical systems ethics* thus emerges.

7.6 MB

"Zur Planungskultur in der Schweiz" (authors: D.A. Keller and W. Ulrich).

Schweizer Ingenieur und Architekt / Swiss Engineer and Architect, 107, No. 46 (16 Nov. 1989), pp. 1243-1247. (open access)

Keller & Ulrich (1989)

A critical discourse on the "planning culture" in the public sector of Switzerland (in German language). More than a quarter century after its publication, this analysis of the difficulties and deficits of the country's public-sector planning appears to have lost little of its timeliness and relevance.

1.8 MB

"Systems thinking, systems practice, and practical philosophy: a program of research"

Scanned version of a research program first published in Systems Practice, 1, No. 2, 1988, pp. 137-163.

Ulrich (1988)

This programmatic paper argues that building a bridge between the two traditions of systems thinking and practical philosophy is key to serving the cause of ethically grounded, socially rational decision-making. A three-level framework of rational systems practice provides a starting point that 30 years after it was first outlined can still guide innovative research and professional practice.

3.7 MB