Home > Work > Change: Principles of Problem Formation and Problem Resolution
1 " In psychotherapy it is the myth of knowing this why as precondition for change which defeats its own purpose. "
― Paul Watzlawick , Change: Principles of Problem Formation and Problem Resolution
2 " and as long as the outcome of any combination of two or more members is itself a member of the group. "
3 " Another property of a group is that one may combine its members in varying sequence, yet the outcome of the combination remains the same. "
4 " there is changeability in process, but invariance in outcome. "
5 " Unfortunately, natural language often makes a clear distinction between member and class difficult. "
6 " Gear-shifting is thus a phenomenon of a higher logical type than giving gas, and it would be patently nonsensical to talk about the mechanics of complex gears in the language of the thermodynamics of fuel supply. "
7 " in order to be solved, a problem first of all has to be a problem. What we mean by this is that the translation of a vaguely stated problem into concrete terms permits the crucial separation of problems from pseudo-problems. "
8 " persistence and change need to be considered together, in spite of their apparently opposite nature. "
9 " that in a universe in which everything is blue, the concept of blueness cannot be developed for lack of contrasting colors. "
10 " what is problematic is not absolute and somehow inherent in the nature of things, but depends on the particular case and point of view involved. "
11 " A population of four million is not quantitatively but qualitatively different from an individual, because it involves systems of interaction among the individuals. "
12 " all perception and thought is relative, operating by comparison and contrast. "
13 " it follows that there are two different types of change: one that occurs within a given system which itself remains unchanged, and one whose occurrence changes the system itself. "
14 " When Paul announced himself in a rather formal way to the secretary, he said simply, “I am Watzlawick.” She suspected he was a new psychiatric patient showing up for an appointment at the wrong time, and she interpreted his introduction as, “I am not Slavic. "
