Scientific Understanding of Dynamic Phenomena: Analytic/Recursive/Holistic Relationships

E. Atlee Jackson

Working Papers from Santa Fe Institute

Abstract: The concept of ``scientific understanding'' is a very constrained form of knowledge, requiring some technical and empirical consensus, as well as satisfying logical restrictions. Despite these restrictions, the scientific knowledge that is associated with dynamic processes contains an amazingly rich variety of interconnections, involving distinct forms and levels of understanding. This variety of forms of dynamic knowledge, which is presently largely unrecognized, will be demonstrated via recent specific technical examples. It will be seen in these examples that the understandings (relationships) that have been discovered all have holistic characteristics. Moreover, their holistic qualities are unique in each case---in this sense, they are ``emergent discoveries.'' This suggests the future understanding of complex systems will involve the common activity of discovering new holistic forms of relationships.

Date: 1997-03
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