International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics

K. BAUSCH describes as follows the present nature and role of images in societies. Thereafter he presents a proposal for their use as a possible tool for social transformation, as elaborated by a growing group of systemists concerned with better working human societies. BAUSCH starts by defining "images" present meaning: "The subjective and intersubjective knowledge (i.e. what we believe to be true or possible) that guides individual behavior and shapes collective culture "(Glossary-Pers. comm., 2002)

He explains: "Images of humankind which are dominant in a culture are of fundamental importance, because they underlie the ways in which the society shapes its institutions, educates its young, and goes about whatever it perceives its business to be. The image represent our current perception of the past, present and future.

Our social realities and our images coexist in mutually adapting interaction "(Ibid)

These are the images that we have and use. Could we change this scheme puposefully? Hereafter BAUSCH's opinion. "The purpose of an evolutionary image is to guide out attention toward a desirable future-rather than to try to predict the future based on an extrapolation from past and present events. An evolutionary image of the future is an invitation to become aware of the consequences of our present choices, and more importantly, to participate in the creation of the future. The absence of such an image restricts the human potential and our future possibilites "(Ibid).

However, the use of valorative terms (believe, true, desirable), which are culturally tainted, and the possible effects of their use, should be closely scrutinezed. This is specially important as we are now in a process of multicultural debate as a result of so-called globalization.