Yuan‐Shengdialectical holism and systems thinking: A systemism research tradition that integrated Chinese and Western holism

Abstract

AbstractFrom the perspective of Laudan's ‘research traditions’, this paper attempts to propose the ‘systemism research tradition’ (SRT) that integrates Chinese and Western holisms based on complex systems science. First, we establishYuan‐Shengdialectical holism as the ontological assumption of the SRT, emphasising that the world is a ‘relation‐centric’ system.Yuanrefers to specific time–space relations, and the becoming of the world (Sheng) fromYuanmanifests as a dialectical holistic relationship in which ‘contrary is complementary’. Second, we argue that the ontological assumption of SRT implies three methodological principles: systemhood thinking, synergistic thinking and emergent thinking. These principles focus on relations, openness, synergy, adaptation and emergence. Last but not the least, we argue that the SRT is a kind of applied systems thinking. The context‐dependent multi‐causation methodology, dealing with the sustainability of social‐ecological systems, has been successfully applied in explaining the resilience governance of Guangzhou Haizhu Wetland in China.