The importance of systems thinking in ethical and sustainable decision-making

被引:0
作者
P. L. Kunsch
M. Theys
J. P. Brans
机构
[1] Vrije Universiteit Brussel,MOSI Department
[2] Université Libre de Bruxelles,Solvay Business School
来源
Central European Journal of Operations Research | 2007年 / 15卷
关键词
OR in Ethics; Sustainable development; Systems thinking; Education;
D O I
暂无
中图分类号
学科分类号
摘要
Ethical values beyond the satisfaction of basic human needs are specific to each society at a given time. Modern societies are confronted to the challenges of disappearing natural resources, fierce competition on global markets, and climate change. In this paper we define ‘good’, and at the same time ‘ethical‘ decisions in the 21st century as being in accordance with the principles of Sustainable Development. Operations Research can assist sustainable decision-making in two ways: (1) through the tools of systems thinking, in particular system dynamics and soft system modelling, to provide insight into the way complex non-linear living systems and human societies function, and help making sustainable decisions, and (2) through educating and training young people in systems thinking. The paper presents examples of simple models that could serve in classrooms.
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页码:253 / 269
页数:16
相关论文
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