The pandemic, climate change, rising populism, geo-political unrest - just a few of the issues causing turbulence in today's world. We are living and working in times that are complex and fast changing. If complexity theory is good for anything, it must be able to throw light on this global landscape and help us to think through what to do in response.
Jean Boulton, with her background in the physical as well as the social sciences, and her practical experience of management and consultancy, is well placed to present complexity theory and its implications in a way that is fresh, profound and accessible. The Dao of Complexity is a book about challenging and deepening worldviews, connecting ideas from such diverse fields as quantum physics, process philosophy, phenomenology, systems change, politics, economics and psychology as well as ancient wisdom. It explores what 'making sense' of the world means in these turbulent times and how that galvanises action. The book introduces 'process complexity'. It explores the remarkable resonance between the complexity worldview and Daoism, engaging with the processual, contextual and emergent nature both of ourselves and of the world of which we are a part. Jean discusses what this means for those of us trying to make a difference, trying to 'make waves' in a world of increasing connectivity, polarisation and fragility.
Taking its lead from Daoist texts, the design encourages readers to open at any page and use the short, stand-alone, yet networked pieces as reflective starting points. This book is about change - how to attune to its natural flow and how to 'make change happen'. It will be of interest to scholars and students of management and sustainability, as well as practicing managers, policy makers and consultants looking for inspiration. The general reader interested in science, philosophy and ancient wisdom will find relatable material to explore how to engage effectively in this complex world.
Industry Reviews
"In the West we are shifting from seeing the world as ordered, inherently perfect, mechanical, and in equilibrium, to seeing it as alive, messy, organic, and ever in process. Jean Boulton captures this shift in thinking beautifully, with insight and precision." --W. Brian Arthur, author of Complexity and the Economy "This is my book of the year. Some books fill your head, some your heart, some educate, some set you alight; Jean's book does all of these. Her sparkling irrepressible scholarship takes us on a journey from the profound to the practical and incites us to cultivate ourselves and face the future. Essential fare for any progressive business school, and I'd also recommend it as a refreshing holiday brain reboot." --Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean and Director, Henley Business School, Africa "Wonderfully wide-ranging and thoughtful, Jean Boulton doesn't explain complexity, she inhabits it. Through musings, stories, and a breath-taking range of ideas, Boulton is an inspiring companion who teases out the connections to Daoist cosmology with deceptive ease. An essential read for anyone wanting to make a difference." --Margaret Gearty, Associate Professor, Hult International Business School (Ashridge) "Drawing together her deep understanding of the complexity sciences, and a voracious appetite for ideas from other disciplines, Jean Boulton writes with wit and wisdom to argue that the contemporary dilemmas we face on our planet today demand new, processual ways of thinking. Wide-ranging and compelling, this is an absorbing and fascinating read." --Chris Mowles, Professor of Complexity and Management, Hertfordshire Business School "A tour de force, fascinating and enticing in equal measure. Jean has gathered a lifetime of thought and reflection and draws on sources that are eclectic yet pertinent and lead to practical insights that anybody can appreciate. Knowing Jean, I see her behind every word and her authenticity is emboldening. A must for academics, practitioners and leaders looking for fresh perspectives and humane answers to the critical challenges of today's world." --Jonathan Davies, Head of International School, Mumbai, India "Dialogues between so-called natural scientists, social scientists and practitioners matter more than ever. But they often start badly. Sharing our struggles with complexity can help, and those willing to reflect on their most basic assumptions will gain much from Jean Boulton's account of how great thinking about complexity converges." --James Copestake, Professor of International Development, University of Bath "The very accessible tone in which Jean writes feels like a personal conversation, making challenging topics like process complexity, Daoism, and quantum physics remarkably easy to connect with. Jean invites us into a great conversation, providing profound insights and practical strategies, of benefit to anyone seeking to understand and address the complexities of our ever-changing world." --Rika Preiser, UNESCO Chair in Complexity and Transformative African Futures, Stellenbosch University "Success in the social world lies not in meticulous planning and control, but in the quality of our engagement with the present moment, as life emerges one step at a time. Jean Boulton shows how the roots of process complexity lie in ancient philosophy as well as in modern science and explores its application to all facets of life, from developing ourselves as individuals to leading organisations and large-scale social change." --Andrey Pavlov, Professor of Strategy and Performance, Cranfield University
