Keywords
systems theory
systematic/systemic
post-postmodernity
responsibility
trust
double contingency
Abstract
Digitization as a „new“ phenomenon seems to be harboring plenty of the well-known. Despite the fact that its technologies are systemic and operate in networks, their base code is binary and as such represents a rigid and limiting structure. Digital technologies analyze and produce in a systematic rather than a systemic manner, thus manifesting a strong tendency of post-postmodern society. Digitization, therefore, represents a challenge demanding innovation from society as a result of its limitations and once again posing the question of what is the purpose of life and who should bear the responsibility for decisionmaking in the context of our administrative systems. For social work specifically, it raises the issue of trust vs. mistrust – are clients responsible for steering themselves into critical conditions, or does the systematic modus operandi of our systems produce these critical conditions and clients get caught in them? A truly systemic negotiation of needs on the basis of double contingency (mutual dependency) would allow us to interact in a more trusting manner and on equal footing. It would allow us to make use of digital technologies in this constructive manner.
Keywords: Digitization – systems theory – systematic/systemic – post-postmodernity – responsibility – trust – double contingency