Abstract

Now as never before, the future of life on earth is seriously in doubt because of the worsening global problematic which threatens human survival. The haphazard crisis management reaction to a plethora of problems, can only solve some by creating others. The question then is how can such crucial social problems be treated in a more systemic and systematic way.

The contemporary world is a very complex and chaotic system where the casual observer is deluged by diverse signals of disparate events usually transmitted through the mass media. The resulting information overload is confusing and overwhelming, therefore, it is difficult to decode and evaluate the significance of what is going on, let alone do anything rational about it.

This study attempts to contribute to a better interpretation and comprehension of social phenomena by developing a model of social problem identification. The enormity of this task however necessitates a delimitation of its scope and content to an abstract perception and conception of the human condition.

On the basis of work already done by this author in defining and classifying social problems based on a Theory of Sociophysics, the attempt here constructs a general diagnostic model and then exemplifies it to the contemporary world system by combining a formal protocol and a decision making program whose algorithm arrives at logical conclusion from given premises.

In doing so, this article includes an epistemology, axiology, semiology and pathology of social systems, as the necessary and sufficient components of sociodiagnostics. A successful construction of such diagnosis is a prerequisite for social anagnosis, prognosis and eventual therapy. With this ultimate purpose in mind, this essay is a small step on the long road towards more sustainable life support systems.