Complex problem solving

More about the book

This volume presents proceedings from an international conference on 'Complex Problem Solving', focusing on the demands placed on agents addressing complex issues, exemplified by climate change and its socio-economic impacts. Such creeping problems require human agents to first elevate their awareness to initiate appropriate actions. Given the individual and societal challenges in tackling such complexities, progress is expected to be gradual, involving adaptive, iterative steps rather than sudden breakthroughs. Learning through action reveals that initial problem formulations may not yield comprehensive solutions; redefining these issues can lead to more manageable transformations. To effectively respond to climate change, understanding its nature and consequences is crucial, as is recognizing humanity's cognitive, psychological, and emotional capacities to navigate uncertainty and complexity. Key topics include decision-making, the interplay of cognition and emotions, cultural influences on problem-solving, resistance to change, and economic considerations regarding resource use. Transitioning from positive to normative aspects introduces additional challenges at the intersection of science and politics, particularly in implementing environmental policies. These themes are further explored in the companion volume, which addresses methodological support for societal policy-making.