What is a complex system?
- New Haven : Yale University Press, 2020
- xi, 169 p. ; 24 cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
A clear, concise introduction to the quickly growing field of complexity science that explains its conceptual and mathematical foundations. What is a complex system? Although "complexity science" is used to understand phenomena as diverse as the behavior of honeybees, the economic markets, the human brain, and the climate, there is no agreement about its foundations. In this introduction for students, academics, and general readers, philosopher of science James Ladyman and physicist Karoline Wiesner develop an account of complexity that brings the different concepts and mathematical measures applied to complex systems into a single framework. They introduce the different features of complex systems, discuss different conceptions of complexity, and develop their own account. They explain why complexity science is so important in today's world.
9780300251104
System analysis System theory Computational complexity Science Philosophy Complexity Philosophy Adaptive behaviour Algorithmic Complexity Computation Correlation Distribution Dynamical systems theory Non - Equilibrium Food webs Modularity Nested structure Neurons Nonlinearity Radiation Self - organisation Universal behaviour Ant colonies Honey bee hives Numerosity Disorder Diversity