What Is a Complex System?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Ladyman ◽  
Karoline Wiesner
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Public Policy ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Complexity Science ◽  
System P ◽  
Economic Markets ◽  
History Of ◽  
Conceptual Foundations ◽  
Do So

What is a complex system? Although “complexity science” is used to understand phenomena as diverse as the behavior of honeybees, the economic markets, the human brain, and the climate, there is no agreement about its foundations. In this introduction for students, academics, and general readers, the authors develop an account of complexity that brings the different concepts and mathematical measures applied to complex systems into a single framework. The book begins with an overview and a brief history of complexity science. Complexity science is relatively new but already indispensable. Many of the most important problems in engineering, medicine, and public policy are now addressed with the ideas and methods of complexity science. The conceptual foundations of complexity science are disputed, and there are many and diverging views among scientists about what complexity and complex systems are. Its origins lie in cybernetics and systems theory and it is related to dynamical systems theory and the study of cellular automata. The book introduces the different features of complex systems and discusses different conceptions of complexity with the authors documenting their own account. In do so, they explain why complexity science is so important in today's world.

Introduction

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
J. Ladyman ◽  
K. Wiesner
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Intelligent Systems ◽  
Complexity Science ◽  
Scientific Discipline ◽  
The Status ◽  
History Of ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Conceptual Foundations

This introductory chapter provides an overview and a brief history of complexity science, which is the study of complex systems. All living systems and all intelligent systems are complex systems. Complexity science is relatively new but already indispensable. Many of the most important problems in engineering, medicine, and public policy are now addressed with the ideas and methods of complexity science. However, there is no agreement about the definition of 'complexity' or 'complex system', nor even about whether a definition is possible or needed. The conceptual foundations of complexity science are disputed, and there are many and diverging views among scientists about what complexity and complex systems are. Even the status of complexity as a discipline can be questioned given that it potentially covers almost everything. The origins of complexity science lie in cybernetics and systems theory, both of which began in the 1950s. Complexity science is related to dynamical systems theory, which matured in the 1970s, and to the study of cellular automata, which were invented at the end of the 1940s. By then computer science had become established as a new scientific discipline.

What Is a Complex System?

2020 ◽  
pp. 117-134
Author(s):  
J. Ladyman ◽  
K. Wiesner
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Scientific Theory ◽  
Complexity Science ◽  
Natural Phenomenon ◽  
System P ◽  
The Subject

This chapter assesses whether there is a single natural phenomenon of complexity found in a wide variety of living and nonliving systems and which can be the subject of a single scientific theory. Is there such a thing as 'complexity science' rather than merely branches of different sciences, each of which have to deal with their own examples of complex systems? The chapter synthesises an account of how to think about complexity and complex systems from the examples and analysis of the previous chapters. Roughly speaking, there is no single phenomenon of complexity, but there are a variety of features of complex systems that manifest themselves in different ways in different contexts. Hence, complexity science is not a single scientific theory but a collection of models and theories that can be used to study the different features in common ways across different kinds of systems. The chapter then considers different views about complex systems.

Systems theory

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Marinopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Systems Theory ◽  
Multiple Realities ◽  
Traditional Epistemology ◽  
System P ◽  
History Of ◽  
Scientific Truth ◽  
Scientific System ◽  
First Time ◽  
Methodology Of Science ◽  
Scientific Purpose

In his systems’ theory, Luhmann attempts to redefine communication, and associates it with information. For Luhmann, communication is distinct from action (Handeln), and the rationality of the scientific system resides in the notion of Zweck, or in the ends of the sciences towards action. For the first time in the epistemological history of modernity, rationality is understood as a certain scientific purpose of action and not as the critique of scientific truth and validity of reason. The schism that Luhmann brought about between ‘traditional’ epistemology (reconsidered now as novel) and the ‘critical’ theory of science (seen by Luhmann as ‘traditional’) was irredeemable. In the following pages, I maintain that all evidence to the contrary such a divergence was inherent to modernity.Drawing on the Schützean model of multiple realities, Luhmann manages to blur the distinction between instrumentality and rationality by relativizing both within systemic complexity. According to Luhmann, complexity characterizes a multifaceted social system, such as science itself. However, I argue that where complexity, in Luhmann, interprets the systemic, it also employs presentism and partial situationalism to explain the essence and methodology of science as a system.

The Politics of Presidential Term Limits in Tunisia

2019 ◽  
pp. 179-198
Author(s):  
Alessandra Bonci ◽  
Francesco Cavatorta
Keyword(s):  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Political History ◽  
Term Limits ◽  
The Political ◽  
System P ◽  
Presidential System ◽  
History Of ◽  
Political Turmoil ◽  
Democratic Constitution ◽  
Do So

This chapter discusses the evolution of the politics of term limits in Tunisia, from independence in 1956 until the approval of the 2014 democratic constitution. Through the observation of the manipulation of term limits, we can retrace the political history of the country. It is interesting to examine how Bourguiba and Ben Ali managed to achieve their goals by stretching term limits, how and in which conditions they were prevented to do so and finally, whether there are some recurring patterns. This study then places in historical perspective the analysis on how term limits in Tunisia today have been discussed and implemented. Tunisians today are still coping with the recent political turmoil, which may lead them not to pay attention to creeping but substantial constitutional changes that might occur in light of the return to presidential practices in what is a semi-presidential system.

Laying the foundation for evonomics

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sloan Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Real World ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Multilevel Selection ◽  
Major Step ◽  
The Real ◽  
Complex Systems Theory ◽  
Target Article

AbstractThe target article is a major step toward integrating the biological and human-related sciences. It is highly relevant to economics and public policy formulation in the real world, in addition to its basic scientific import. My commentary covers a number of points, including avoiding an excessively narrow focus on agriculture, the importance of multilevel selection and complex systems theory, and utopic versus dystopic scenarios for the future.

scholarly journals A Brief Synthesis on Complex Systems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abicumaran Uthamacumaran
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Complexity Science ◽  
General Properties ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Emergent Behaviors

What is a complex system? The definition of a complex system remains somewhat ambiguous. A complex system can be defined as a system consisting of many interacting parts exhibiting emergent behaviors. The emerging field of complexity science entails a change in the language of scientific research and thinking. As such, the general properties, tools and definitions pertaining to complex systems must be made accessible to multi-disciplinary systems scientists and thinkers. With this intention, this literary survey presents the development and glossary of essential concepts steering complex systems.

scholarly journals Complex systems biology

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (134) ◽  
pp. 20170391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avi Ma'ayan
Keyword(s):  
Complex System ◽  
Systems Biology ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Human Cell ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
Complex Systems Theory ◽  
The Past

Complex systems theory is concerned with identifying and characterizing common design elements that are observed across diverse natural, technological and social complex systems. Systems biology, a more holistic approach to study molecules and cells in biology, has advanced rapidly in the past two decades. However, not much appreciation has been granted to the realization that the human cell is an exemplary complex system. Here, I outline general design principles identified in many complex systems, and then describe the human cell as a prototypical complex system. Considering concepts of complex systems theory in systems biology can illuminate our overall understanding of normal cell physiology and the alterations that lead to human disease.

Conclusion: What is Speculative Empiricism?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier Debaise
Keyword(s):  
Social Groups ◽  
Speculative Philosophy ◽  
System P ◽  
History Of ◽  
Selection Of

Process and Reality ends with a warning: ‘[t]he chief danger to philosophy is narrowness in the selection of evidence’ (PR, 337). Although this danger of narrowness might emerge from the ‘idiosyncrasies and timidities of particular authors, of particular social groups, of particular schools of thought, of particular epochs in the history of civilization’ (PR, 337), we should not be mistaken: it occurs within philosophy, in its activity, its method. And the fact that this issue arises at the end of Process and Reality reveals the ambition that has accompanied its composition: Whitehead has resisted this danger through the form and ambition of his speculative construction. The temptation of a narrowness in selection attempts to expel speculative philosophy at the same time as it haunts each part of its system.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document