Wassily Kandinsky, Blau Rot

Reasoning

Questions

How to combine these theories?

Pattern of Knowledge

Questions

Pattern of Knowledge

Macroscope

Methology is to make possible the collection and organization of accumulated knowledge in order to increase the efficiency of our actions.

System

A system is a set of interacting elements that form an integrated whole. Or in other words : a system is a set of elements in dynamic interaction, organized for a goal.

Open System

An open system is in permanent relation with its environment, or, in general terms, with its ecosystem. It exchanges energy, matter, and information used in the maintenance of its organization to counter the ravages of time. Open system and ecosystem are in constant interaction, each one modifying the other and being modified in return.

Closed System

A closed system exchanges neither energy nor matter nor information with its environment. The system uses its own internal reserve of potential energy.

Complexity

Variety of elements

A complex system is made up of a large variety of components or elements that possess specialized functions.

Hierarchy

The system elements are organized in internal hierarchical levels.

Variety of bonds

The different levels and individual elements are linked by a great variety of bonds. Consequently there is a high concetration of interconnections.

Nonlinear interconnections

The interconnections between the elements of a complex system of a particular type; they are nonlinear interactions. The effects of simple linear interactions can be described by mathematical relationships in which the variables are increased or diminished by a constant quantity. In the case of nonlinear interactions the variables are multiplied or divided by coefficients which are themselves functions of other variables.

Features

Two groups of characteristic features make it possible to describe in a very general way the systems that can be observed in nature.

Structural

The structural aspect concerns the organization in space of the components or elements of a system.

Limit

A limit that describes the boundaries of the system and separates it from the outside world.

Element

Elements or components that can be counted and assembled in categories, families, or populations.

Reservoir

Reservoirs in whice the elements can gathered and in which energy, information, and materials are stored.

State variable

The state (level) variables indicate the accumulation of a given quantity in the course of time in the resevoir. They express the result of an integration. If time stops; the level remains constant (static level).

Communication network

A communication network that permits the exchange of energy, matter, and information among the elements of the system and between different reservoirs.

Functional

The functional aspect concerns process, or phenomena depenpent on time (exchange, transfer, flow, growth, evolution), this is temporal organization.

Flow

Flows of energy, information, or elements that circulate between reservoirs. They are always expressed in quantities over periods of time. Flows of energy and materials raise or lower the levels in the reservoirs. They circulate through the networks of communication. Information serves as a basis for making the decisions that move the flows which maintain reserves or raise and lower the levels of reseviors.

Valve

Flow Variable

The flow variable is represented by the flow rate, that is, the average quantity running off between two instants.

Delay

Delays result from variations in the speed of circulation of the flows, in the time of storage in the reservoirs, or "frictions" between elements of the system. Delays have an important role in the phenomena of amplification or inhibition that are typical of the behavior of complex systems.

Feedback loop

In a system where a transformation occurs, there are inputs and outputs. The inputs are the result of the environment's influence on the system. The outputs are the influence of the system on the environment. Input and output are separed by a duration time, as before and after, or past and present. In every feedback loop, information about the result of transformation or an action is sent to the input of the system in the form of input data.

Positive

If input data from the feedback loop facilitate and accelerate the transformation in the same direction as the preceding results, they are positive feedback, their effects are cumulative. In this case there is exponential growth or decline.

Negative

If input data from the feedback loop produce a result in the opposite direction to previous results, they are negative feedback - their effects stabilize the system. In this case there is maintenance of equilibrium.

Notation

Reservoir

The symbolic representation of a reservoir is a simple rectangle.

Communication network

The network is represented in diagrams by lines and dotted lines that links the reservoir or other variables of the model.

Flow

Flows of energy and materials are represented by a heavy black arrow. Flows of information are indicated by a dotted-line arrow

Approach

Systems analysis

Systems analysis defines the limits of the system to be modeled, identifies the important elements and the types of interactions between these elements, and determines the connections that integrate the elements into an organized whole. Elements and types of connections are classified and placed in hierarchical order. One may then extract and identify the flow variables, the state variables, positive and negative feedback loops, delays, sources and sinks. Each loop is studied separately, and its influence on the behavior of the different component units of the system is evaluated.

Model Building

This is the construction of a model from data provided by systems analysis.

Simulation

Simulation considers the dynamic behavior of a complex system.

Behavior

Modes

Maintenance

This is based on negative feedback loops and characterized by stability.

Change

This is based on positive feedback loops and characterized bygrowth(or decline).

Patterns

The coexistance of two modes at the heart of an open system, constantly subject to random disturbances from its environment, creates a series of common behavior patterns.

Dynamic stability

Equilibrium in motion. Maintenance is duration. Negative controls, by regulating the divergences of positive loops, held to stabilize a system and enable it to last. Thus the system is capable of self-regulation. The persistence of form is dynamic stability. We deal with dynamic equilibriums; this imposes a preliminary distinction between balance of force and balance of flow.

Balance of Force

A balance of force results from the neutralization at the same point of two or more equal and opposed forces. But a balance of force is a static equilibrium; it can be modified only as the result of discontinuous change in the relatioship of the forces.

Balance of Flow

A balance of flow results from the adjujtment of speeds of two or more flows crossing a measuring device. Equilibrium exists when the speeds of the flows are equal and moving in opposite directions. A balance of flow is a dynamic equilibrium. It can be adapted, modified, and modeled permanently by often imperceptible readjustments, depending on disturbances or circumstances.

Steady State

When equilibrium is achieved, a given "level" is maintained over time. This particular state is called a steady state.

Homeostatis

Homeostatis is Resistance to change.A homeostatic system is an open system that maintains its structure and functions by means of a multiplicity of dynamic equilibriums rigorously controlled by interdependent regulation mechanisms. Such a system reacts to every change in the environment, or to every random disturbance, through a series of modifications of equal size and opposite directions to those that created the disturbance. The goal of these momifications is to naintain the internal balances.

Growth and Variety

The growth of a complex system-growth in volume, size, number of elements-depends on positive feedback loops and the storage of energy. In effect a positive feedback loop always acting in the same direction leads to accelerated growth of a given value. This value can be number, diversity(variety of elements and interactions between elements) or energy.

Law of requisite variety

The regultion of a system is efficient only when it depends on a system of controls as complex as the system itself.

Evolution and emergence

Laws

Preserve Variety

To preserve stability one must preserve variety. Any simplification is dangerous because it introduces imbalance.

Do not "open" regulatory loops

The isolation of one factor leads to prompt actions, the effects of which often disrupt the entire system. To obtain a short-term action, a stabilizing loop or an overlapping series of feedback loops is often "cut open" in the belief that one is acting directly on the causes in order to control the effects.

Look for the points of amplification

A homeostatic system resists every measure, immediate or sequential (that is, waiting for the results of preceding measures in order to take on new ones). One of the methods that influence the system and cause it to evolve in a chosen direction is the use of a policy mix. These measures must be carefully proportioned in their relationships and applied simultaneously at different points of influence.

Reestablish equilibrium through decentralization

The rapid reestablishment of equilibriums requires the detection of variances where they occur and corrective action that is carried out in a decentralized manner. Often corrective action has been taken even before one has been made conscious of taking it.

Know how to maintain constraints

If we ant to maintain a given behavior that we consider preferable to another, we must accept and maintain certain kinds of constrains in order to keep the system from turning towards a less desirable or dangerous mode of behavior.

Differentiate to integrate better

Every real integration is founded on a previous differentiation. The individuality, the unique character of each element is revealed in the organized totality.

To evolve, allow aggression

A homeostatic system can evolve only if it is assaulted by events from the world outside. An organization must then be in a position to capture the germs of change and use them in its evolution-which obliges it to adopt a mode of functioning characterized by the renewal of structures and the mobility of men and ideas.

Prefer objectivej to detailed programming

The programming must foresee all disturbances likely to occur in the course of operation. The setting of objectives adapts to complexity; it needs only to have its goal set without ambiguity and establish the means of control that will enable it to take corrective measures in the course of action.

Know how to use operating energy