The notion of a system may be seen as simply a more self-conscious and generic term for the dynamic interrelatedness of components.
(Von Bertalanffy)
(Von Bertalanffy)
General Systems Theory is closely related to Cybernetics... this lens concentrates on the former but also examines the relationship and where the two fields overlap and can be used to give better insight into the workings of complex and emerging systems.
Contents at a Glance
Orientation
The how , why and whereof this Lens
"Cybernetics and systems theory study basically the same problem, that of organization independent of the substrate in which it is embodied.Insofar as it is meaningful to make a distinction between the two approaches, we might say that systems theory has focused more on the structure of systems and their models, whereas Cybernetics has focused on how systems function, that is to say how they control their actions, how they communicate with other systems or with their own components.
Since structure and function of a system cannot be understood in separation, it is clear that systems theory and Cybernetics should be viewed as two facets of a single approach. " (cited in http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cybernetics)
Connective Summary
Systems Theory Macrosope: a brief guide to the infinitely complex
Relevant External Links
- What is Systems Theory?
- From the Principia Cybernetica Web:
"Systems Theory: the transdisciplinary study of the abstract organization of phenomena, independent of their substance, type, or spatial or temporal scale of existence. It investigates both the principles common to all complex entities, and the (usually mathematical) models which can be used to describe them." - General Systems Theory
- General Systems Theory David S. Walonick, Ph.D. General systems theory was originally proposed by Hungarian biologist Ludwig von
- A brief introduction to general systems theory
- Ludwig Von Bertalanffy was a Hungarian biologist educated in Vienna, a member of the famed "Vienna School."
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