Theory of complexity. What theory of complexity?

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Theory of complexity. What theory of complexity?

J. Marczyk

Is there a theory of complexity? Every serious theory has some characteristic constant, such as G or c, and some fundamental equations. But what about complexity? Which constants or equations form the basis of this unknown theory? There aren't even any accepted definitions of complexity, not to mention metrics. It's not sufficient to mix chaos theory, fractals, fuzzy logic, neural nets, soft computing, or nonlinear differential equations and autonomous agents to say you have a theory of complexity.

It is often stated that a complex system (this means that there are also "simple" systems) is one which results from the interaction of a multitude of autonomous agents which spontaneously form hierarchies of higher level. If one takes a closer look at Nature it becomes clear that ultimately all things are "complex" systems:

Atoms interact to combine molecules.
Molecules combine to form aminoacids, proteins, DNA, crystals, clouds, etc.
Cells interact and form organs
Species of animals and plants form ecosystems, ecosystems form biospheres
Humans interact and form societies
Corporations interact and form markets, economies, etc.
Stars form galaxies, galaxies form clusters of galaxies

Nature is full of interactions and recombinations at all scales, from the nano to the macro. But then, according to the above "definition" everything is Nature is a complex system. Thanks to recombination, irreversible processes and dissipative nonlinear systems we withness the creation of novelty everywhere. Ok, but we already knew that. Structure emerges everywhere and in the face of the destructive forces of entropy.

Ontonix advocates that there is no need to split systems into complex and non-complex ones. There is no further need to fragment science. We claim that every system has a measure of complexity - complexity is simply yet another attribute of any system, just like mass, momentum or energy. It can be measured and, consequently, it can managed.

by Jacek Marczyk — last modified 03-04-2007 11:09

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