Wolfgang Hofkirchner: Facing complexity - General System Theory
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Transcript of Wolfgang Hofkirchner: Facing complexity - General System Theory
Facing Complexity: General System Theory
15 – 17 May 2013Curso de Extensión: Pensamiento sistémico abierto: en la encrucijada de un mundo complejoUniversidad de León
Wolfgang HofkirchnerAssociate Professor, Vienna University of TechnologyPresident, Bertalanffy Center for the Study of Systems Science (www.bcsss.org)President Elect, International Society for Information Studies (www.is4is.org)
Contents
1 A new way of thinking: thinking in complexity1.1 Global challenges1.2 Integrativism1.3 Ludwig von Bertalanffy's General System Theory (GST)1.4 Science
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
3 A new design of the future: humane systems design3.1 Evolutionary systems stage model3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism3.3 World system transition
1 A new way of thinking: thinking in complexity
1.1 Global challenges
1.1 Global challenges
global challenges = challenges that
1.1 Global challenges
global challenges = challenges that
(1) affect (the survival of) all humanity (objective factor) and
1.1 Global challenges
global challenges = challenges that
(1) affect (the survival of) all humanity (objective factor) and
(2) can successfully be treated only by humanity as a whole (subjective factor)
1.1 Global challenges
1.1 Global challenges
global challenges are complex challenges:
1.1 Global challenges
global challenges are complex challenges:
their complexity exceeds the problem-solving capacity of any currently existing social system – complexity needs to be reduced in order to enable the system to cope with the challenges*: by establishing a meta-level
1.1 Global challenges
global challenges are complex challenges:
their complexity exceeds the problem-solving capacity of any currently existing social system – complexity needs to be reduced in order to enable the system to cope with the challenges*: by establishing a meta-level
*) Ross W. Ashby: a system needs to have at least the same variety as another system to be able to steer that system; Niklas Luhmann: a system needs to reduce the complexity of another system to be able to steer that system
1.2 Integrativism
ways of thinking
reductionism
projectivism
disjunctivism
integrativism
relationship between lower and higher complexity
relationship between identity and difference; unification or diversification
reduces higher complexity to lower complexity
identity without differenceprojects higher complexity onto lower complexity identity without differencedisjoins higher complexity from lower complexity difference without identityintegrates lower with higher complexity and differentiates between them unity of identity and difference
1.2 Integrativism
ways of thinking
reductionism
projectivism
disjunctivism
integrativism
relationship between lower and higher complexity
relationship between identity and difference; unification or diversification
reduces higher complexity to lower complexity
identity without differenceprojects higher complexity onto lower complexity identity without differencedisjoins higher complexity from lower complexity difference without identityintegrates lower with higher complexity and differentiates between them unity of identity and difference
1.2 Integrativism
ways of thinking
reductionism
projectivism
disjunctivism
integrativism
relationship between lower and higher complexity
relationship between identity and difference; unification or diversification
reduces higher complexity to lower complexity
identity without differenceprojects higher complexity onto lower complexity identity without differencedisjoins higher complexity from lower complexity difference without identityintegrates lower with higher complexity and differentiates between them unity of identity and difference
1.2 Integrativism
ways of thinking
reductionism
projectivism
disjunctivism
integrativism
relationship between lower and higher complexity
relationship between identity and difference; unification or diversification
reduces higher complexity to lower complexity
identity without differenceprojects higher complexity onto lower complexity identity without differencedisjoins higher complexity from lower complexity difference without identityintegrates lower with higher complexity and differentiates between them unity of identity and difference
1.2 Integrativism
ways of thinking
reductionism
projectivism
disjunctivism
integrativism
relationship between lower and higher complexity
relationship between identity and difference; unification or diversification
reduces higher complexity to lower complexity
identity without differenceprojects higher complexity onto lower complexity identity without differencedisjoins higher complexity from lower complexity difference without identityintegrates lower with higher complexity and differentiates between them unity of identity and difference
1.2 Integrativism
1.3 Ludwig von Bertalanffy's General System Theory
sublation of mechanicism (physicalism) and vitalism (metaphysics)
theory of universal principles applying to real-world systems irrespective of their physical, biotic or social nature
1.3.1 Epistemology
•mathematical terms or natural language, if the first option is not possible
•anti-reductionism and anti-projectivism: neither physicalism nor biologism
•models mirror only certain traits ("perspectivism")
1.3.2 Ontology
•differentiation and integration (principle of progressive organisation – "anamorphosis")
•the concept of wholeness: maintenance of the organisation through change of components
•superposition of many levels
1.3.3 Ethics
•humanistic concerns about global challenges: history's irrationality and bestiality is to be ascribed to socio-cultural systems but not individuals
1.4 Science
philosophy
real-world sciences
natural sciences (physics incl. cosmology, chemistry, biology, part of psychology, etc.)
formal sciences (logics, mathe-matics)
social and human sciences
general
specific
engineering, applied or technological sciences as well as arts(e.g. computer and information science)
1.4 Science
philosophy
real-world sciences
natural sciences (physics incl. cosmology, chemistry, biology, part of psychology, etc.)
formal sciences (logics, mathe-matics)
social and human sciences
general
specific
engineering, applied or technological sciences as well as arts(e.g. computer and information science)
science of contemporary society
1.4 Science
philosophy
real-world sciences
natural sciences (physics incl. cosmology, chemistry, biology, part of psychology, etc.)
formal sciences (logics, mathe-matics)
social and human sciences
general
specific
engineering, applied or technological sciences as well as arts(e.g. computer and information science)
science of contemporary society
GeneralSystemTheory
systems philosophy
formal systems science(methodo-logy)
science of real-world systems
general
specific
science of artificial systems design
science of the world system in statu nascendi
1.4 Science
systems philosophy
formal systems science(methodo-logy)
science of real-world systems
science of material (physi-cal) systems
science of living (biotic) systems
science of human(social) systems
general
specific
science of artificial systems design
science of the world system in statu nascendi
1.4 Science
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
self-organisation =def. spontaneous build-up/maintenance of order in matter (in nature, in and between real-world systems)
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
self-organisation =def. spontaneous build-up/maintenance of order in matter (in nature, in and between real-world systems)
puzzle: entropy law S>0 (growing disorder)vs. life (growing order)?
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
self-organisation =def. spontaneous build-up/maintenance of order in matter (in nature, in and between real-world systems)
puzzle: entropy law S>0 (growing disorder)vs. life (growing order)?
solution: open systems(merger of systems theory and evolutionary theory)
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents
Metasystem transition 1:individual phase
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents
Metasystem transition 1:individual phase
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
Metasystem transition 2:interactional phase
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
Metasystem transition 2:interactional phase
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
Metasystem transition 3:integrative phase
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction
generate
structure organisationalrelations
Metasystem transition 3:integrative phase
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction(microlevel)
system organisationalrelations(macrolevel)
generate
structureMetasystem transition 3:integrative phase
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction(microlevel)
constrain and enable
system organisationalrelations(macrolevel)
generate
structureMetasystem transition 3:integrative phase
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction(microlevel)
constrain and enable
system organisationalrelations(macrolevel)
generateemergence
dominance
structureMetasystem transition 3:integrative phase
self-organisation
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction(microlevel)
constrain and enable
organisationalrelations(macrolevel)
generateemergence
dominance
structureSuprasystem 1:reproduction
system
self-organisation
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction(microlevel)
constrain and enable
organisationalrelations(macrolevel)
generateemergence
dominance
structureSuprasystem 1:reproduction
system
self-organisation
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction(microlevel)
constrain and enable
organisationalrelations(macrolevel)
generateemergence
dominance
structureSuprasystem 1:reproduction
system
self-organisation
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction(microlevel)
constrain and enable
organisationalrelations(macrolevel)
generateemergence
dominance
structuresystem
self-organisation
Suprasystem 1:reproduction
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction(microlevel)
constrain and enable
organisationalrelations(macrolevel)
generateemergence
dominance
structuresystem
self-organisation
Suprasystem 2:transformation
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction(microlevel)
constrain and enable
organisationalrelations(macrolevel)
generateemergence
dominance
structuresystem
self-organisation
Suprasystem 2:transformation
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction(microlevel)
constrain and enable
organisationalrelations(macrolevel)
generateemergence
dominance
structuresystem
self-organisation
Suprasystem 2:transformation
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction(microlevel)
constrain and enable
organisationalrelations(macrolevel)
generateemergence
dominance
structuresystem
self-organisation
Suprasystem 2:transformation
2 A new conception of the world: self-organisation
agents in interaction(microlevel)
constrain and enable
organisationalrelations(macrolevel)
generateemergence
dominance
structuresystem
self-organisation
Suprasystem 2:transformation
3 A new design for the future: humane systems design
3.1 Evolutionary systems stage model
3.1 Evolutionary systems stage model
systems n
levels
phases
3.1 Evolutionary systems stage model
systems n
phase n phase n+1
levels
phases
meta-/suprasystem n+1space ofpossibilities n
complexification
emergence from a necessary condition
3.1 Evolutionary systems stage model
systems n
phase n phase n+1
level n+1
level n
levels
phases
meta-/suprasystem n+1space ofpossibilities n
complexification
new organisational relations
elements n+1
emergence from a necessary condition
downw
ard causationthrough higher-order structure
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
Strict determinism
t
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
space of possibility
(there is only one option)
space of impossibilities
Strict determinism
space of impossibilitiest
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
space of possibility
(there is only one option)
space of impossibilities
space of impossibilitiest
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
t
(empty space of impossibilities)
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
all-embracing space of possibilities
(everything is possible)
Indeterminism
t
(empty space of impossibilities)
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
all-embracing space of possibilities
(everything is possible)
t
(empty space of impossibilities)
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
all-embracing space of possibilities
(everything is possible)
t
(empty space of impossibilities)
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
all-embracing space of possibilities
(everything is possible)
t
Less-than-strictdeterminism
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
Less-than-strictdeterminism
t
3.2 Neither strict determinism nor indeterminism
Less-than-strictdeterminism
space of possibilities
space of impossibilities
t
3.3 World system transition
Historical situationsas points ofbifurcation
space of possibilities
space of impossibilities
t
3.3 World system transition
The Great Bifurcation
space of possibilities
space of impossibilities
today
3.3 World system transition
The Great Bifurcation
amplifiedfluctuations
(=crisis)
space of possibilities
space of impossibilities
today
3.3 World system transition
The Great Bifurcation
amplifiedfluctuations
(=crisis)
regulated financial capitalismspace of possibilities
space of impossibilities
today
3.3 World system transition
The Great Bifurcation
amplifiedfluctuations
(=crisis)
mastering the global challenges: Global Sustainable InformationSociety (GSIS)
social systems falling apart:exterminism, barbarism
regulated financial capitalismspace of possibilities
space of impossibilities
today