A new vision of reality for communication research: call for a paradigm shift to systems view of life*. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gunaratne, Shelton A.; Gunaratne, Yoke-Sim
• Is Part Of: Journal of multicultural discourses. Volume 12:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 22
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Buddhist phenomenology -- Cartesian–Newtonian paradigm -- communication -- Conditioned Genesis (paticca samuppada) -- systems theories; Multiculturalism -- Periodicals; Discourse analysis -- Periodicals; Multiculturalism -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; 305.8005
• DOI: 10.1080/17447143.2016.1276917
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-7143

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This essay calls for the adoption of the systems view of life as the unifying vision for all disciplines to follow. Newtonian science eclipsed systems thinking for more than 300 years after the publication of Newton's magnum corpus, the Principia, in 1687. Subsequent findings have challenged some of the main presumptions of classical science such as the Cartesian view of mind–body duality and the classification of variables into distinct dependent and independent categories. Modern systems view agrees with Eastern philosophy on the interdependence of all systems, which function in patterned networks, as established by organismic biology, new physics, cognitive science, ecology, and other disciplines. Part 2 of the essay examines the Conditioned Genesis paradigm as a conducive framework particularly for the field of communication.