Idealized Design

Russell L. Ackoff

Russell Lincoln Ackoff

Jason Magidson

Herbert J. Addison

Wharton School Publishing (Paula)

This book provides an innovative foundation for looking at human and social behavior u as a system of purposeful (teleological) events. It uses a systems theoretical approach for the study of these phenomena, and illustrates and extends general systems theory.
Part One develops the concepts of traditional mechanism from which, successively, the concepts of "function," "choice," "goal-seeking," and "purposefulness" are derived, leading to a quantitative formulation of "personality". Part Two provides an analysis of aspects of purposeful behavior and personality, and Part Three explores the interaction of purposeful systems. Part Four is concerned with the study of social groups and ideal-seeking behavior. Finally, structural concepts underpinning the theoretical system are redefined in technological terms, thus demonstrating the non-vicious circularity and interdependence of all scientific concepts.

On Purposeful Systems: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of Individual and Social Behavior as a System of Purposeful Events

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Fred E. Emery

Psychology & Counseling

Routledge

Design of Social Research

University of Chicago Press

Concept of Corporate Planning

Business & Money

Economics

John Wiley&Sons

Russell Ackoff, previously Emeritus Professor of the Wharton School of Business at UPenn, takes a deep dive into solving societal problems with more effective systems.

Redesigning the future: a systems approach to societal problems

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

John Wiley&Sons, Inc.

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Books by Russell L. Ackoff