Exploring the Principles of System Theory and its Impact on Daily Life

Francis Galton was the first to introduce the phrase “nature vs nurture” and although he clearly favored the former as an explanation of human behavior, he had little direct evidence to support his bias. He believed that a great deal of what we do could originate in the mind, with relatively little immediate input from the environment.

Unlike Galton, Kurt Lewin believes that both nature and nurture interact to shape each individual, making it impossible for one factor to fully explain an individual’s behavior or personality. He expounded such ideas in his famous behavioral model B = f(P, E).

The system according to Bertalanffy

Even before Von Bertalanffy coined the term “General System Theory,” Galton and Lewin investigated how our brains react to such systems. This system is not limited to human behavior or genetics, a few examples of general systems theory range from natural science, culture and community, and technology up to the individual level of the human body, careers, and relationships — they are not isolated from their surroundings, they are continually changing. Systems theory is governed by two major vital principles.

1. Equifinality implies that a system can achieve its destination or final state from a variety of starting points or conditions and via a range of paths.
2. Multifinality implies that a system can have the same beginning point but take a diverse path to different destinations or final states.

The idea of system theory has impacted various fields, transforming the way I approach life and interact with it. Here are a few examples of how this principle has influenced me in my daily life.

Cultivating Culture in an Organization

Culture is the accumulation of ideas, knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, and attitudes. Culture is the heat produced by the light of the bulb, whereas organizational structure, behavior, and procedures are the lights of the bulb.

• Equifinality: There are several interventions to cultivate strong and positive employee behavior.
• Multifinality: A single practice or policy can have varying effects on employees.

Seeking Opportunity

Opportunity is finding the gap while value is filling the gap. To increase your value, one should find and solve unique problems.

• Equifinality: There are several paths that can be taken to handle unique problems. If you’re assigned to construct a ship, familiarize yourself with the weather, ocean conditions, and celestial navigation
• Multifinality: When you’re stuck in a job you don’t like and can’t quit right away, try combining your skills to create a unique skill set and solve unique problems.

Crisis Management

I think complex issues are simply collections of smaller problems. Adopting a singular viewpoint may lead to frustration.

• Equifinality: There is numerous path leading to the end of the suffering or there are multiple paths to achieving the same outcome.
• Multifinality: There is an end to suffering. There is no single correct approach to managing a crisis and that different strategies may be needed based on the specific circumstances and goals of the situation

Fitness Management

Our bodies have varying genetic makeups, some with innate abilities while others lack them. Currently, there are various supplements available to help address any deficiencies we may have.

• Equifinality: Individuals can reach the same level of physical fitness through different combinations of exercise, diet, and lifestyle changes.
• Multifinality: The same inputs or interventions can have different effects on individuals.

Developing Habits

Habits are composed of several routines. It is formed over time through repetition and reinforcement.

• Equifinality: There can be multiple approaches to forming a new habit, one can explore the use of a habit tracker or triggers.
• Multifinality: The outcome of developing a habit may not be predictable or uniform across individuals. Wearing helmets while riding a motorcycle, for example, may or may not save your life, but it will increase your chances of survival.

Generating New Idea

Thomas Edison has several failed inventions before people enjoy the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera, and improving the telegraph and the telephone.

• Equifinality: The knowledge gained through various stupid ideas can be merged to produce a brilliant one.
• Multifinality: There are no failed ideas if valuable insights are acquired. These discoveries can be utilized to structure future innovations.

The Gut Health

We are all surrounded by microbiomes, from the top of our heads to the bottom of our heels. A recent study shows that several microbiomes contribute to cancer progression. This means that the chance to increase the survival of cancer patients increases when introduced by other microbiomes that have patterns to aid cancer.

• Equifinality: Healthy gut function may achieve through dietary changes, while others may benefit from probiotics, stress reduction, or other interventions.
• Multifinality: Different paths toward gut health can result in varying outcomes, and this can be influenced by factors like genetics, environment, and prior health.

The Consciousness / Life

My current definition of consciousness is the interaction of several neurotransmitters. This is analogous to the heat of a lightbulb, with the source of the light being the internal processes of our brain from various senses and awareness of our free will, surroundings, and past.

• Equifinality: We are all going to die.
• Multifinality: A single event might have multiple effects on our lives.

Exercise caution to not become overly fixated on a specific path or even a particular end goal. There is no singular definition of success or road to a fulfilling life.

Think deeply about the application of system theory around you. Do you see a pattern of system and subsystem? Are they simple or complex systems? what might you do to enhance its interactions?