Broadening our Sight to a Living Systems Perspective: A New Core Organizing Logic for the Era of the.

This symposium takes off from David Korten's observation that 'We are living beings born of and nurtured by a living Earth,' and brings together leading thinkers, including Korten, to broaden our academic 'sight' on how developing a living systems approach to organizing might shift the core organizing logics of management and economic theories. Viewing human and socio-ecological systems, and, indeed, reality, as living entities means broadening our sight to taking in what Claus Weber calls an enlivenment (versus enlightenment) perspective that can help shape new cultural understandings as well as new organizing frameworks. David Korten, who will serve as keynote speaker, argues for an ecological civilization that could create better balance, innovation, and creativity, while simultaneously providing sufficiency. He will discuss the need to assure that all businesses are accountable to and serve the well-being of the community in which they do business. Commentator/panelist Andrew Hoffman will examine the institutional frameworks around which a cultural shift as broad and sweeping as the Enlightenment of the 18th century is underway. Chris Laszlo will highlight the power of direct intuitive practices in what he terms quantum leadership to transform consciousness. Michael Pirson will bring the lens of humanistic management to the question of how living systems theory can enhance both management and economic practice. Sandra Waddock will discuss principles of what gives life to systems in the interest of advancing living systems theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]