This redrawn diagram uses distinct coloured arrow sets to separate the process flow from the logical choices you must make at each phase of a systemic inquiry.
The Interplay of Systemic Inquiry
graph TD Phase Cycle (Dark Grey/Thick) P1 ==> P2 P2 ==> P3 P3 ==> P4 P4 ==> P5 P5 ==> P1 Complexity Pole Mapping (Blue) P1 -.-> A2 P2 -.-> B2 P3 -.-> C2 P3 -.-> D2 P5 -.-> E2 P4 -.-> F2 Phase Cycle linkStyle 0,1,2,3,4 stroke:#444,stroke-width:4px; Complexity Pole Links (Blue) linkStyle 11,12,13,14,15,16 stroke:#4d79ff,stroke-width:2px; %% Styling Nodes style Phases fill:#fff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:4px style Order_Pole fill:#fff5f5,stroke:#ff4d4d,stroke-dasharray: 5 5 style Complexity_Pole fill:#f5f8ff,stroke:#4d79ff,stroke-dasharray: 5 5
Legend and Explanation of Arrow Sets
• Dark Grey Arrows (The Process Loop): These represent the recursive cycle of inquiry[1][2]. Systems thinking is rarely a one-time event; results from the Learning phase typically “reset” the observer’s Stance for the next iteration[3][4].
• Red Arrows (Mechanistic Choice): These point to the decisions aligned with the Order Pole[5][6]. This logic assumes the world is a “clockwork” mechanism where parts can be optimized, cause-and-effect is linear, and variety should be filtered out to maintain control[7][8].
• Blue Arrows (Systemic Choice): These point to the decisions aligned with the Complexity Pole[9][10]. This logic assumes the world is an “ecology” of interconnected constraints where cause-and-effect is circular and the goal is resilience through variety absorption[11].
Key Interplay Dynamics
1. Stance/Observer: You choose between discovering an objective reality (Ontic) or acknowledging that you “bring forth” a world through your own distinctions (Epistemic)[14][15].
2. Framing/Structure: You define the system as a collection of parts (Mechanism) or a web of relational Constraints[16].
3. Diagnosis/Variety & Causality: You decide to either simplify the incoming data (Attenuation) or boost your capacity to handle it (Absorption), based on whether you see triggers as Linear or Recursive[18].
4. Power/Purpose: You judge if the system should be designed for a specific future goal (Teleological) or if you should observe its natural evolutionary drift (Evolutionary)[21].
5. Learning/Uncertainty: You determine if success is a calculated Optimization or a strategic “Muddling Through” to maintain viability in flux[24][25].
Does this colour-coded separation make the relationship between the Phases of your work and the Poles of your thinking clearer?
References
[1] 💬Nutshell (Process).md [2] 💬Nutshell (Process).md [3] 💬Nutshell (Process).md [4] 💬Nutshell (Process).md [5] 💬What is Complexity.md [6] 💬What is Complexity.md [7] 💬Questions.md [8] 💬What is Complexity.md [9] 💬What is Complexity.md [10] 💬What is Complexity.md [11] 💬Nutshell (Process).md [14] 💬Perspectives.md [15] 💬Perspectives.md [16] 💬Keywords + Jargon.md [18] 💬Keywords + Jargon.md [21] 💬People Dynamics.md [24] 💬Nutshell (Process).md [25] 💬What is Complexity.md