A FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING COMPLEX SYSTEMS

Paul Cilliers
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Paul Cilliers: Department of Philosophy - University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch 7600 - South Africa

Chapter 2 in Complexity Theory and the Management of Networks, 2004, pp 23-27 from World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.

Abstract: AbstractOur understanding of complex systems has increased tremendously in the last few decades. This understanding, however, does not necessarily lead to grand methods that will allow us to develop general models for all complex systems. We have to deal with the contingency of each specific system. This text provides a brief summary of a framework of ideas that would help in this process. After a characterisation of complex systems, some comments on the problems of modelling complex systems will be made. Finally, the inevitability of normative considerations will be argued for. These ideas are presented here in drastically shortened versions. They can be found in more detail in previously published material (Cilliers 1998, 2000).

Keywords: Networks; Complexity Theory; Management of Networks; Distributed Systems; Strategy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2004
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