Six Levels of Complexity; a Typology of Processes and Systems

Dietrich Fliedner

Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 2001, vol. 4, issue 1, 4

Abstract: A closer examination of the position of processes and systems on a scale of complexity is a precondition for the simulation of (biotic and) social processes and systems. It is possible to distinguish 6 levels: 1st level of complexity: the process takes place mainly between 2 concrete participants (simple movement). Control by the environment, not yet a system (solidum). 2nd level of complexity: the process orders the movements, it is horizontally (temporally) oriented, and passes in each case through 4 stages (movement project). The system is the sum of the elements and orders itself through its elements (equilibrium system). 3rd level of complexity: the process distributes energy (demanded products), it is vertically (between superior and inferior environment, market) oriented and passes in each case through 4 bonding levels (flow process). The system is more than the sum of its elements, it regulates itself as a whole (flow-equilibrium system). 4th level of complexity: the process converts energy into products, it is horizontally (temporally) oriented, and passes in each case through 8 stages (7 by overlapping) (process sequence), it is based on division of labour. Each system organises itself structurally as a whole (non-equilibrium system). 5th level of complexity: the process is vertically (hierarchically) oriented and in each case passes through 8 hierarchical levels (7 by overlapping)(hierarchical process). Each system generates itself structurally by organising its elements and subsystems (hierarchic system). 6th level of complexity: process is horizontally (spatially) oriented, and probably passes 16 spheres (13 by overlapping) in each case (universal process, universal system). Each system within the spheres generates itself materially: autopoiesis.

Keywords: Autopoietic Systems; Energy Flow; Pecos (New Mexico); Process Sequence; Self Organisation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2001-01-31
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