Wicked Problems: Systems Thinking, Ethics, and Multidisciplinary Approaches

Introduction

Complex societal issues without a clear definition or a finite list of solutions are called “wicked problems.” Rittel and Webber (1973) list characteristics of wicked issues, such as being one-of-a-kind, having no clearly defined set of allowed operations, and being only a symptom of something more fundamental. The authors highlight the necessity for an argumentation process in planning to solve societal issues and the implications of acknowledging the fundamental evil of these situations. The authors likewise criticize the military and space programs’ conventional systems approach, stating that it is unsuitable for dealing with wicked issues (Rittel & Webber, 1973). Solving wicked problems needs strategic approaches such as team cooperation, dialogue, restorative justice, ethical principles, and systems thinking.

Wicked Problem Solution Strategies

Resolving wicked problems does not require a single or universal answer but rather a series of arguments and evaluations that culminate in a decision. Rittel and Webber (1973) suggest that second-generation techniques should be based on a model of planning as an argumentative process, a process in which a shared mental picture of the problem and its solution emerges over time from the minds of the people involved. The article equally underlines the evil of societal issues and the necessity for an intellectual approach to solving them.

Realistic judgment, the capacity to evaluate new ideas, and planner-client trust and trustworthiness determine the set of plausible action plans (Rittel & Webber, 1973). The writers argue that the way an issue is explained dictates the kind of remedy it will need and that all wicked problems may be seen as symptoms of other problems. Therefore, this implies no technique or rule for identifying the “correct” explanation or combination of explanations.

Personal Views on Wicked Problems Solution

Apart from the proposed views of handling wicked problems, I also think these two ways can aid in tackling wicked problems: systems thinking and multidisciplinary teamwork. Firstly, multidisciplinary teamwork involves different parties or professionals from diverse fields in finding a solution to the problem. Such fields can include psychology, sociology, or medicine; for example, psychology explains how some personalities could be prone to crime in crime control.

Tharshini et al. (2021) explain that “individuals who commit crime tend to be self-centered, hostile, adhere to unconventional values/beliefs, and have difficulty controlling their impulses” (p 2). This points to the possibility that impulsive and hostile personalities are linked to criminal acts. The authors mention that personality qualities are a more reliable indicator of criminal behavior than demographic variables like age, race, and locality (Tharshini et al., 2021). Evidence like this symbolizes that personality factors are likely involved in criminal conduct everywhere.

Psychological elaboration of the association between certain personality qualities and criminal conduct signifies that these traits can enhance one’s propensity to engage in illegal activity. Through this explanation given from the psychological perspective, responsible bodies can find and solve the root cause of crimes, thus reducing or ending crime. Shepley et al. (2019) assert that anger is a major cause of aggressive actions. This confirms that angry individuals can be more prone to violence, which usually leads to an increase in the crime rate.

Furthermore, Grant (2023) gave an example of how stress led to crime in the case of Alex Murdaugh. Murdaugh’s eldest son, Buster, was expelled from the University of South Carolina for academic cheating. In addition, Maggie (Alex’s wife) realized that her husband was not settling the bills, and confronting him caused stress and anger in their marriage. As a result, this tension became one of the causes of family violence, thus leading Alex to kill his wife and son, Paul.

Herdiana and Djamil (2021) provide some of the tactics for managing stress and anger, such as “deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga therapy, hypnosis, and relaxation” (p 10). These strategies assist people in relaxing and minimizing physiological arousal. Bandyopadhyay and Koley (2021) expound that the stress-reducing effects of yoga have been scientifically verified by its ability to reduce salivary cortisol levels and activity in the posterior hypothalamus. Therefore, psychology, sociology, and the medical field will educate law enforcement bodies on solving wicked problems by understanding the human brain and behavior.

Secondly, I believe systems thinking is another way to solve these wicked problems. The wicked problems are deeply rooted in the broader systems, and focusing on their connection makes it easier to solve them. For example, for the war on drugs, Heuser (2018), “drug trafficking was organized and controlled by the head of the intelligence service, Vladimiro Montesinos” (p 3).

According to ex-traffickers, Montesinos supervised a vast corruption network and worked with 856 people with ties to organized crime, drug trafficking, and money laundering (Heuser, 2018). Leaders’ involvement in the social justice system can prolong systemic challenges, delay real change, and damage faith in the justice system, creating a conflict of interest that inhibits development. The author elaborates that in the “narcoindultos” controversy, former president Alan García pardoned 1,167 persons convicted of carrying more than 10 kilos of cocaine or belonging to criminal organizations (Heuser, 2018). Therefore, ending drug trafficking in Peru is a challenge because top leaders are involved in it. In solving such wicked problems, leaders should lead by example by refraining from such criminal activities.

Ethical Principles

Firstly, when confronting wicked situations, the ethical notion that planners should be held responsible for the outcomes of the activities they create is most applicable. The article mentions, “Planners are liable for the consequences of the actions they generate…” (Rittel & Webber, 1973, p. 167). This principle stresses the value of anticipating and accepting responsibility for the results of one’s actions. Since there are no black-and-white solutions to wicked situations, weighing the benefits and drawbacks of every suggested remedy and taking responsibility for its effects is essential.

Secondly, the authors stress the need to recognize the range of values people and communities hold while addressing complex or wicked issues. They hold, “Our point, rather, is that diverse values are held by different groups of individuals…” (Rittel & Webber, 1973, p. 169). This emphasizes planners’ need to negotiate competing values and weigh the possible consequences for various communities when recommending remedies for wicked situations. When confronting wicked challenges, acting by the ethical principles of responsibility and diversity of values is essential.

Wicked Problems Examples

The first example of a wicked problem is mass incarceration, which is concerned with high rates of imprisonment, especially for minor crimes and people from disadvantaged groups. When tackling this challenge, I will apply two approaches: restorative justice and prevention and diversion. Firstly, Tyner (2020) states that “Restorative justice draws upon principles of community-building, accountability, reconciliation, and peacemaking” (p 70). Restorative justice seeks to restore and heal all crime victims by strengthening communities, holding offenders accountable, and making amends. Focusing on prevention rather than retribution can significantly lower prison populations.

Secondly, restorative justice may be seen as the seed of justice as a means of reconciliation and healing. Restorative justice can potentially reduce crime and imprisonment by fostering reconciliation and healing. Sliva et al. (2018) confirm that “restorative justice processes … reduced recidivism and an improved cost-benefit ratio when compared with standard justice processes like fines and probation” (p. 465).

This quote demonstrates that restorative justice systems have advantages over more conventional judicial processes associated with penalties. Restorative justice practices address the damage created by criminal activity more efficiently and effectively. These pieces of evidence are convincing enough to prove that restorative justice will solve my example case of mass incarceration.

The second example of a wicked problem is gun control related to illegal gun ownership. Random gun ownership can mean criminals possessing these armaments, which can increase crime rates and insecurity. I will use dialogue to educate the people on the correct procedure to follow in owning a gun and a few ways in which someone may infringe on the right to own one.

As Weiss (2022) explains, “Individuals with a felony conviction, minors, or myriad other disqualifying conditions can be ineligible for a license” (p 670). I will explain to them the concept of ‘felony conviction’ and how people can be convicted of a felony. I will list crimes considered felonies: rape, murder, robbery, and drug trafficking. In this way, I will prevent them from committing general crimes since many people may desire to own a gun.

Conclusion

In summary, wicked problems entail complicated issues that necessitate transdisciplinary solutions. Systems thinking, values diversion, and accountability are some of the strategies that may help solve these problems. Multidisciplinary collaboration and restorative justice can also help handle wicked issues like crime and mass imprisonment. Recognizing the interdependence of these issues and involving stakeholders in solution-finding will be crucial. Overall, people must address wicked challenges in society with an open mind and a readiness to work across disciplines and views.

References

Bandyopadhyay, N., & Koley, A. (2021). Yoga an effective therapeutic means for managing stress: A review. International Journal of Fitness, Health, Physical Education and Iron Games, 8(1), 150-153. Web.

Grant, S. (2023). What was Alex Murdaugh’s motive for allegedly killing his wife and son? Seventeen. Web.

Herdiana, Y., & Djamil, M. (2021). The effectiveness of recitation Al-Qur’an intervention and deep breathing exercise on improving vital sign and anxiety level among congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. International Journal of Nursing and Health Services (IJNHS), 4(1), 9-15. Web.

Heuser, C. (2018). New president, old problems: Corruption and organised crime keep Peru in crisis. Social Science Open Access Repository (SSOAR),1-11. Web.

Rittel, H. W., & Webber, M. M. (1973). Dilemmas in a general theory of planning. Policy Sciences, 4(2), 155-169. Web.

Shepley, M., Sachs, N., Sadatsafavi, H., Fournier, C., & Peditto, K. (2019). The impact of green space on violent crime in urban environments: An evidence synthesis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(24), 1-19. Web.

Sliva, S. M., Porter-Merrill, E. H., & Lee, P. (2018). Fulfilling the Aspirations of Restorative Justice in the Criminal System: The Case of Colorado. Kan. JL & Pub. Pol’y, 28, 456-503. Web.

Tharshini, N. K., Ibrahim, F., Kamaluddin, M. R., Rathakrishnan, B., & Che Mohd Nasir, N. (2021). The link between individual personality traits and criminality: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 1-12. Web.

Tyner, A. R. (2020). The tangled web of mass incarceration: Addressing the school-to-prison pipeline through a restorative justice approach. University of St. Thomas Law Journal, 17(1), 59-80. Web.

Weiss, R. (2022). Rethinking prison for non-violent gun possession. Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 112(3), 667-689. Web.