JOHN WARFIELD, FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE

1925- 2009

American systems scientist, who was professor and director of the Institute for Advanced Study in the Integrative Sciences (IASIS) at George Mason University.

Complexity has become embedded in the very framework of our society. Modern science and technology have achieved wonders, but they have also greatly increased the likelihood of encountering complex situations. Multifaceted problems and challenges can cripple organizations that are not properly prepared. Dr. John N. Warfield has dedicated his life to the study of complexity and developing methods of coping with it.

Warfield began his intellectual career studying electrical engineering and mathematics. This led him to work with early computer prototypes. Besides math and electrical engineering, Warfield became interested in group pathologies. He began to look at how and why people make decisions—especially in situations that involve a great deal of complexity. This led him to establish Interactive Management, a computer assisted process designed to help groups manage complex problems unique to their organizations.

Warfield bases his research in the empirical evidence of human behavior pathologies, application of design concepts in groups, and philosophical works dating back to Aristotle. One of Warfield’s greatest sources of inspiration was the pragmatist, Charles Sanders Peirce. Warfield dealt with a number of different subjects ranging from “thought about thought” to the current state of higher education.

His long and successful career has yielded a number of publications, honors, and awards. The John N. Warfield Collection presents many of Warfield’s most significant and influential works. This digital collection contains select textual and non-textual documents from the physical collection housed in Special Collections & Archives in George Mason University Libraries.

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