SYSTEMS

We do not, solely interact with each other one-on-one. In our increasingly complex world, compassion alone is not enough to reach the ultimate goal of effective ethical engagement in the world; it must be complemented with responsible decision-making based on an understanding of the wider systems within which we live. Without knowing how to engage a situation from multiple perspectives or evaluate a course of action and its likely consequences over time, even actions motivated by kindness can result in negative, unintended outcomes. The world in which students are growing up is increasingly complex, global, and interdependent. The challenges that face current and future generations are expansive and far-reaching in nature, and solutions will require a new way of thinking and problem-solving that is collaborative, interdisciplinary, and systems-oriented.