Edgar Morin’s epistemological framework for complexity, known as “complex thought” (pensée complexe), challenges traditional reductionist approaches by advocating for a more integrative understanding of reality. Central to this framework are several key principles:
1. Dialogical Principle: This principle acknowledges that opposing elements, such as order and disorder, can coexist and interact within complex systems, leading to a richer understanding of phenomena.
2. Recursive Principle: Morin emphasizes that components of a system are both products and producers of that system, highlighting the cyclical nature of interactions and the continuous evolution of systems.
3. Hologrammatic Principle: According to this principle, each part of a system contains information about the whole, and the whole is reflected in its parts, underscoring the interdependence within complex structures.
Morin’s approach critiques traditional scientific methods that isolate subjects from their environments, advocating instead for a paradigm that recognizes the intricate web of relationships inherent in complex systems. His work calls for a reform in thinking, encouraging the integration of diverse disciplines to address the multifaceted nature of reality.
