Applied Moral Systems Theory
A systems approach to advocacy, providing the moral roadmap to a better world. Understand how complex systems behave and how you can influence them ethically and effectively.
Explore the ConceptsCore Concepts
AMST is built on a few foundational ideas that reframe our understanding of institutions. This section introduces the key metaphors used to analyze and engage with complex systems. By seeing systems as more than just buildings and policies, we can develop more effective strategies for change.
System Psychology
Institutions—schools, agencies, corporations—behave like collective minds. They have reflexes, memories, defenses, and learning processes. Understanding this "psychology" is key to effective advocacy.
The System as an Organism
Like a living being, a system seeks to maintain balance (homeostasis). It has interconnected parts that work to ensure its survival, and it reacts to perceived threats to its stability.
Systemic Defensiveness
When a system feels threatened, it can enter a "fight or flight" mode. This looks like denial, blame-shifting, or creating bureaucratic hurdles. The goal of AMST is to influence change without triggering this defensive state.
The Five Principles of AMST
These five principles form the operational core of Applied Moral Systems Theory. They guide the advocate from initial analysis to effective action, ensuring that interventions are strategic, ethical, and sustainable. Use these tabs to explore each principle and understand how it contributes to the overall framework.
The Advocate's Toolkit
Theory is powerful, but action is essential. This section provides interactive tools based on AMST to help you plan and execute your advocacy. Work through the Grounding Check to ensure your approach is sound, and explore the concept of Narrative Calibration to refine your messaging for maximum impact.
The Grounding Check
Click a step above to see its description. The Grounding Check is a reflective process to ensure advocacy decisions are aligned with reality, moral principles, and emotional balance.
Narrative Calibration
Systems operate on stories. A system in distress often has a narrative that doesn't match reality. Your role is to help adjust that story. Use the toggle below to see how a misaligned narrative can be calibrated to be more truthful and productive, reducing systemic defensiveness.
Glossary of Terms
Language shapes our understanding. This glossary contains key terms from Applied Moral Systems Theory. Use the search bar to quickly find definitions and deepen your grasp of the concepts that underpin this powerful advocacy framework.