The complexity and change explained in an accessible and educational way

In 325 dense pages, Françoise Kourilsky managed the feat in an accessible way to explain what the systemic approach, how this is a great tool for analyzing and understanding the mechanisms of human change, why it theoretical framework is particularly suited to understand the world of today and tomorrow and how it can be used. In doing so, in a simple and accessible style, it takes us to meet some of the main figures of the School of Palo Alto (Paul Watzlawick, Milton Erikson) and outlines the main concepts of this current.

After explaining that the reality is in fact a construction of thought and that we do not see the world as it is but as we represent it through the filter of our beliefs and our experiences, it seeks to demonstrate that "the change in human systems will operate primarily by cognitive modification: the data of the problem situation remain the same but will be reorganized to facilitate resolution of the problem." Change is a paradoxical and complex process that can not understand and behave as if moving from a positivist way of thinking to a way of constructivist thought, if we agree to leave the analytical model and the disjunctive logic to go to the systemic model (circular) and logic conjunctiva - see about "Introduction to the complex thought" Edgar Morin, if one considers the dialectical relationship between change and permanence, if we assume that the change s' not impose but is a learning or implies.

Françoise Kourilsky shakes preconceptions and habitual patterns of thought and demonstrated intellectual agility and communication skills and entry into remarkable relationship. She does not hesitate to make bridges with eastern philosophies, Zen in particular or to advocate a new ethic of human relationships it summarizes with these words: "The recognition of the other is wisdom, knowledge of the Another is illusory. " One can imagine that if these principles in their simplicity, were more widely understood and applied in the family, society, business, economics, politics, many things would be radically different. But then, things do not happen quite like that.

The proposed vision, undoubtedly original, is resolutely optimistic, pragmatic and conscious in some applications - especially the short therapies - Quick efficiency, in the image of American culture where it was born. If it fits in a constructive, dynamic and positive approach rather amusing, but it is regrettable that the author feels totally irrelevant to question "why" preferring the "how", and that it considers unnecessary to wonder why people have so much trouble understanding and implementing the principles of openness, listening and exchange and inter-relationship it describes? Maybe then can we question the validity of his virulent criticism of psychoanalysis (Part Three, Chapter 9). Indeed, psychoanalytic theory does not on his side offered an explanation of human functioning that provides an initial response to this observation? The risk with the approach that the author presents is perhaps falling into idealism, naivety to believe that all beings are deeply "good" and filled with resources and untapped potential just waiting to flourish in contact with their fellows; and then deny the existence of "evil," destructive forces, the death drive (Thanatos) which also inhabit the human and precisely psychoanalysis to try to explain.