Peace: The Structure of Systemic Reality

Before we go into a discussion of the principle of pretence, or the unique human ability to pretend, let us take some time to understand the basic structure of systemic reality that is beginning to emerge.

Systemic reality is the global or universal property that ensures that everything in the universe is a system and functions as part of a system. This is not just a theory; it is the ultimate reality.

Ludwig von Bertalanffy took note of this characteristic in nature and came up with his General Systems Theory. Shortly after that James Grier Miller developed Living Systems Theory. This progression from GST to LST fits in with our understanding of the origin of life; General Systems Theory representing the systemic nature of non-life and Living Systems Theory representing the systemic nature of living things. First there was non-life and then there was life. First there was General Systems Theory and then there was Living Systems Theory.

Because human life is so unique I would like to propose Rational Systems Theory, which would account for the unique human ability to pretend. It is in Rational Systems Theory that the true power of systemic reality is realized. Obviously, it is responsible for the continued existence of everything from the mighty universe to the smallest quark. But when coupled with the human capacity for to assume a foreign identity through pretence it demands our attention.

These two concepts give rise to the idea that the systems we call individual human beings will behave in accordance with what they are or what they may think they are. Both their true identity and their assumed identity will be displayed in their behavior. The most fundamental aspect of a system is found in the definition Bellinger proposed; it exists to maintain its own existence. We have no control over this. This is not selfishness. It is the natural outworking of systemic reality.

As systems we have no natural responsibility to be our brother’s keeper. Our primary and only reason for living is to ensure that we survive. Any concern we have for the welfare of others exists, not because we are rational beings – rational systems – but because together we belong to a larger system.