2008/09/10 by Alex Ryan, Alex J. Ryan, Ryan, Alex J.
Arts and Humanities · Computer Science · Decision Sciences · Physics and Astronomy · #Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems (nlin.AO) #Chaos, Complexity, and Education #Complex Systems and Decision Making #FOS: Physical sciences #Philosophy and History of Science #nlin.AO
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0809.1698
39 pages
arxiv created 2008/09/10 · openalex publication_date 2008/09/10 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
What is a systems approach? The first step towards answering this question is an understanding of the history of the systems movement, which includes a survey of contemporary systems discourse. In particular, I examine how systems researchers differentiated their contribution from mechanistic science - but also from holistic doctrines; and identify the similarities and sharpest differences between complex systems and other systems approaches. Having set the scene, the second step involves developing a definition of 'system' consistent with the spirit of the systems approach.