Conflicting Systems: Observed with social systems theory
Time: 14-18 September 2015.
Place: International University Centre (IUC), Dubrovnik, Croatia
Conference organizers: Gorm Harste, Aarhus University, Denmark; Steffen Roth, ESC Rennes School of Business, France, and Yerevan State University, Armenia.
Conference description:
Systems do not evolve as unities. They develop their complexities due to differences, and handle complexities due to internal complexities. Modern society is constructed with a manifold of perspectives; its unity and totality is only an aspect, or as Niklas Luhmann states, ‘the whole is less than the sum of its parts’.
A main topic in many studies is about conflicts between differentiated systems. Yet the question of the present conference is: How do systems challenge other systems, and how do systems conflict with themselves?
The conference opens for theoretical and empirical studies in politics, aesthetics, sociology, theology, history, economics, health, psychology, ecology and organization. They call for abductive research. Papers should address questions of differences and conflicts between systems, their structural couplings and emergent hybrids. Conflicts are a challenge to social theory as well as empirical studies; yet they are also occasions for posing new questions and for new developments in forms of knowledge.
Participation in the conference equals 5 ECTS: The requirements are the presentation of a paper and the active participation in the conference.
Full Call for Papers available for download here.
Luhmann Conference 