Acceptability of the use of systemic analysis in the investigation of biological and social phenomena

Abstract

The purpose of the work is an attempt to trace the limits of the use of systems analysis in modern science. Recently, a significant decrease in interest in works of a general methodological order has been recorded. Especially in such fields of knowledge as biology and sociology. The author made an attempt to trace the possibility and limits of the use of systems analysis. How relevant is it at this stage of the development of scientific knowledge? Are there, and what is the reason for the emergence of its possible alternatives. Existing research in the field of systems analysis is mainly of a general theoretical nature. Rarely touching on more narrowly focused research. This article is aimed at filling this gap. The methodology of this work is based on a generalization of the positions of leading specialists in the field of methodology of modern knowledge, On the basis of analysis and critical rethinking, assumptions are made. Results of the study. The author analyzes the state of affairs in modern methodology. To do this, he tried to answer the following questions: 1) what is the essence of the systems approach? 2) what is its place and role in the methodology of modern cognition? 3) the presence of possible alternatives to systems theory; 4) the limits of application of systems analysis to biological and social objects. The conclusions of the article are the following: 1) systems analysis is the isolation of elements with the subsequent actualization of the structure of their interaction in the course of responding to internal and external irritating factors; 2) systems analysis is a generally recognized and dominant methodological approach in modern cognition. At this stage (so far) its authority is undeniable; 3) there are a number of well- developed methodological alternatives (reductionism, synergetic, phenomenology and some others); 4) systems analysis is quite acceptable for the study of biological and social objects. However, with the assumption that at certain stages of their development, objects may be nonlinear. If the world is systemic in principle, then the systems approach is acceptable. However, first of all, we must answer ourselves to the global ontological and epistemological question: is the world outside us (conditional reality) rational and linear (it is possible to predict, extrapolate)? Is there an internal regularity «built into» it or is it irrational? If the world is linear, then the processes occurring in it are structurally and systematically organized. On the contrary, if the world is not linear and not rational, i.e. in principle not organized systematically, then we have the right to question the dominant role of the systemic method that studies the non-systemic world.