General Systems Theory

General Systems Theory - Wikipedia

With the end of the era of modern science (especially reductionism) that dealt only with linear phenomena, the era of modern science that elucidates and utilizes the mechanisms of nonlinear phenomena began. In the following era (especially since the 1960s), advanced automatic control mechanisms (such as automation and computer systems) based on nonlinearity, which cannot be designed without a systematic approach, were put into practical use one after another, shaping the modern society that relies on advanced automatic control mechanisms. In this process, the profession of systems engineer emerged.

• I see… (blu3mo)
• It seems to be a counter position to reductionism
  • It claims to understand nonlinear phenomena as systems.

In systems theory, various phenomena ranging from micro to macro, such as electronic circuits, computers, human bodies, and social groups, are abstracted as “systems” in order to organize the phenomena. This way of thinking has been very successful.

• In addition, the overlap of theories between different fields has been greatly reduced, leading to a significant increase in the efficiency of scientific research.

  • Wow, it’s actually useful (blu3mo)
  • That’s right.

A system is composed of interacting elements. A system cannot be reduced to its parts. A system moves towards a goal.

• ? (blu3mo)
• It seems to be a teleological perspective, but I can’t imagine it specifically.

Within a single system, there are multiple subsystems with unique structures. The subsystems interact with each other and harmonize, forming a cohesive whole.

• Well, I had that image (blu3mo)
  • The system in Physics 1600 8. Systems of particles is mostly like that too
    • I don’t understand “moves towards a goal” (blu3mo)

Researchers such as Norbert Wiener, William Ross Ashby, John von Neumann, and Heinz von Foerster had been studying in the field similar to cybernetics from the 1940s to the 1950s. They examined complex systems using only pencils, paper, and calculations, without the use of the latest tools. Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson also engaged in extensive dialogue to bring interdisciplinary principles of systems theory that had definite, positive, and negative reverberations into social science. John von Neumann discovered cellular automata and self-replicating systems using only pencils and paper, without using computers. Alexander Lyapunov and Henri Poincaré worked on the foundations of chaos theory without using any computers.

• It’s a discussion about abstract layers rather than computers, and since abstract means simple, it seems like they could conduct research with just paper and pen (blu3mo)