What exactly defines systemic thinking? Where does it come from? Wolfram Lutterer's "A Brief History of Systemic Thinking" offers precisely what the title promises: the book provides a concise overview of the development of systemic thinking and critically discusses the positions of key thinkers.

Wolfram Lutterer demonstrates that there have been precursors to both systemic and constructivist thinking since ancient times and, beyond that, also outside the Western cultural sphere, suggesting that these ideas have existed "from time immemorial" and perhaps even "everywhere." Special emphasis is placed on the development of systemic approaches in the 20th century, including the works of Gregory Bateson, Heinz von Foerster, and Humberto Maturana.

In addition to the systemic discourse, parallel and competing scientific approaches are also addressed.