Complexity ExplainedSpringer Science & Business Media, 9 nov 2007 - 397 pagine This book is, of course about complexity. The title of the book, as you may recognize was motivated (excuse me for using this very mild expression) by Daniel Dennett’s Consciousness Explained [130]. Dennett’s intention was to explain consciousness as the emergent product of the interaction among c- stituents having physical and neural character. The goal of this book is to explain how various types of complexity emerge due to the interaction among constituents. There are many questions to be answered, how to understand, control, decompose, manage, predict the many-faced complexity. After tea- ing thissubjectforseveralyearsIfeelthatthe time hascome toputthe whole story together. The term “complex system” is a buzzword, but we certainly don’t have a single de?nition for it. There are several predominant features of compl- ity. Complex processes may show unpredictable behavior (which we still try to predict somehow), may lead to uncontrolled explosion (such in case of epilepsy, earthquake eruptions or stock market crashes). One of the char- teristic feature of simple systems is, that there is a single cause which implies a single e?ect. For large class of complex systems it is true that e?ects are fed back to modify causes. Biological cells belong to this class. Furthermore they are open to material, energetic and information ?ow by interaction with their environment, still they are organizationallyclosed units. Another aspect of complexity is the question how collective phenomena emerge by some se- organized mechanisms. |
Sommario
| 1 | |
History of Complex Systems Research 2 1 Reductionist Success Stories Versus the Importance | 25 |
From the Clockwork World View to Irreversibility | 56 |
The Dynamic World View in Action | 109 |
Deductive Versus Inductive 165 | 164 |
From Symmetric to Asymmetric | 185 |
7 | 200 |
Structure Function | 237 |
From Models to Decision Making 305 | 304 |
How Many Cultures We Have? | 353 |
| 365 | |
| 392 | |
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activity actual agents analysis approach assumed assumption basic behavior biological brain called cells chaos chaotic characterized chemical cognitive complex components concept connected considered constant continuous cycle defined depends describe determined distribution dynamics edge effect emergence equation evolution evolutionary game theory example existence explain formation frequency function given graph Herbert Simon implies important increase initial integration interaction lead learning mathematical means measure mechanism methods motion natural neural neurons nodes offered organization oscillation parameter patent patterns periodic phase phenomena physics place cell players population positive possible potential predict principle probability problem properties quantum mechanics random reactions result role rule Sect simple single social space specific stability strategies structures studied suggested temporal term theory thinking tion understand universe variables
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Pagina 2 - There once were two watchmakers, named Hora and Tempus, who manufactured very fine watches. Both of them were highly regarded, and the phones in their workshops rang frequently new customers were constantly calling them. However, Hora prospered, while Tempus became poorer and poorer and finally lost his shop. What was the reason? The watches the men made consisted of about 1,000 parts each. Tempus had so constructed his that if he had one partly assembled and had to put it down - to answer the phone,...
Pagina 2 - The better the customers liked his watches, the more they phoned him, the more difficult it became for him to find enough uninterrupted time to finish a watch. The watches that Hora made were no less complex than those of Tempus. But he had designed them so that he could put together subassemblies of about ten elements each.
Pagina 2 - The watches that Hora made were no less complex than those of Tempus. But he had designed them so that he could put together subassemblies of about ten elements each. Ten of these subassemblies again, could be put together into a larger subassembly; and a system of ten of the latter subassemblies constituted the whole watch. Hence, when Hora had to put down a partly assembled watch in order to answer the phone, he lost only a small part of his work, and he assembled his watches in only a fraction...
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Deregulation, Innovation and Market Liberalization: Electricity Regulation ... L. Lynne Kiesling Anteprima non disponibile - 2008 |