Fifty years of systems science: further reflections

This paper was delivered as the Presidential Address for the 48th International Society for the Systems Sciences Annual Conference in Pacific Grove, California. The full theme of the 2004 conference of ISSS was Fifty Years of Systems Science: Honoring Tradition, Embracing the Future. This main theme was accompanied by two sub‐themes of ‘Integration’ (or ‘Unification’), and ‘Continuity’. This paper follows the conference theme by discussing the original goals and challenges facing the founders of the Society 50 years ago, as well as our contemporary goals and challenges. The year 2004 marked 50 years since the precursor organization of the International Society of Systems Science held its first meeting. In an earlier paper I outlined 10 goals of systems science, along with 10 challenges that we face in attaining these goals. Five of these goals were the original goals of the founders of ISSS, as enunciated in 1954. I added five additional contemporary goals to the original five goals of the founders. Pursuant to the sub‐theme of continuity, the present papers completes the task set forth in the prior paper by discussing how systems science in general, and ISSS in particular, can overcome the 10 challenges that confront us. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.