Abstract
Abstract
General systems theory is compatible with the spirit of feminist thought. The unnecessary association of systems theory with hierarchy and status quo‐oriented proponents has formed a limited impression of what it can offer to feminisms. Looking at a fuller range of systems‐oriented work shows up that, like feminisms, systems theory has been radical in its rejection of traditional ways of analytic thinking. This paper looks at two central feminist ideas, sexuality and equality, as a spirit of feminism to forge a link between feminisms and systems theory. This shows up several areas of common ground between feminisms and a general systems theory approach to the benefit of both. The idea that action and inaction and equally causal derives from cybernetics and echoes a cell to action for social change in feminisms. Cybernetic causality reflects notions of discourse and fluid identities, allowing analysts to move beyond blame and dichotomous units. The idea that systems of logic are parallel relates closely to standpoint feminism. Systems focus on different outcomes to the same stimuli provides a way to capture emotion as a property of human interaction. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.