Thesaurus: Système
Computers, like telescopes and microscopes, have opened a whole
new world of possible observations.
Because of the rapidity with which they can do well-defined calculations, computers have
made it possible to explore the consequences of relatively simple interactions of
relatively simple things in a way never before possible.
And, in a variety of different disciplines, it is similarly emerging that this new
capability for observations makes possible significant insights into phenomena long
believed to be too complex for serious analysis.
Perhaps even more importantly, there is emerging a new and quite general conceptual
framework, one equally useable in a variety of different sciences ... and by
non-scientists as well. The following is an effort to begin characterizing that framework.
Un changement de paradigme de la
ligne au cercle: 12 caractéristiques des systèmes (ex de système: une famille)
1. Organized around interactions and within a hierarchy of interrelated subsystems.
2. Wholeness: the system is greater than sum of the parts.
3. Each part of the system affects all others.
4. Interrelations emphasized more than components; systemwide ripples ("these cause each other") emphasized more than linearity (this causes that).
5. Circular (mutual, reciprocal) causality: emphasizes present, process.
Linear causality: emphasizes past, content.
6. Calibration: setting of a present-oriented, systemwide range limit around a comfortable emotional "bias."
7. Self-regulating via feedback loops--negative (toward stability) and positive (toward change)--that maintain the bias.
8. Synergy: interractions and feedback loops add to each other as they combine (a dynamic expression of wholeness).
9. Equipotentiality ("equal in the beginning"): things with the same original conditions can go different ways; members of the same family system can share a very similar upbringing but turn out to be very unlike each other.
10. Equifinality (equal in the end): things with different original conditions can turn out the same.
11. Living systems and all they bring with them--equipotentiality, equifinality, wholeness, feedback loops, and all the other system-enhancing processes--move forward through key "horizontal" (brought about by time and change) transitional stages. Symptoms occur when vertical stressors (old issues, past mistakes, emotional legacies) impinge on the system during a transition.
12. First-order changes are those that help the system stay at its current level of functioning. Second-order changes restructure the system to bring it to a different level.
13. Overall, human systems tend to work best when subsystem boundaries are clear (neither too open nor too closed), interactions are clear and nonrepetitive, lines of authority are visible, rules are overt and flexible, changing alignments replace rigid coalitions, and stressors are confronted instead of pushed onto scapegoats.
WHOLES ARE MADE OF PARTS
Many (all?) interesting phenomena can usefully be described as "orderly ensemble properties" and productively understood in terms of the properties and interactions of sub-phenomena ("elements").
WHOLES ARE MORE THAN THE SUM OF THEIR PARTS
Ensemble properties are permitted by but not determined by element properties
THERE IS A RECIPROCAL CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARTS AND WHOLES
The behavior of ensembles is both influenced by and influences the behavior of elements
INTERESTING WHOLES CAN ARISE SIMPLY FROM INTERACTING PARTS
Orderly ensemble properties can and do arise in the absence of blueprints, plans, or discrete organizers.
HOLISTIC PROPERTIES MAY APPEAR RESISTANT TO CHANGES IN PARTS
Ensemble properties may be largely unaffected by variations in the properties and behavior of elements
HOLISTIC PROPERTIES MAY SUDDENLY AND APPARENTLY MYSTERIOUSLY CHANGE
Ensemble properties may be highly sensitive to variations in the properties and behavior of elements (ex: la chaos émerge de l'ordre)
ENUMERATION OF PARTS CANNOT ACCOUNT FOR WHOLES
Ensemble properties can be dramatically changed by modifying the nature of the interaction among elements
CHANGE DOES NOT NECESSARILY INDICATE THE EXISTENCE OF AN OUTSIDE AGENT OR FORCE
Ensemble properties may be dynamic for reasons entirely internal to the ensemble (ex:populations fluctuent sans raison extérieures).
THE RELATION BETWEEN PARTS AND WHOLE MAY ITSELF CHANGE FOR A GIVEN WHOLE
The same change in element property or behavior may have a small effect on ensemble order at one time and a large effect at another time.
INTERESTING WHOLES CAN ARISE FROM CHAOS OR RANDOMNESS
Disorderly variations in element properties or behavior may be the driving force for ensemble order
RANDOMNESS PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE EXPLORATION OF POSSIBLE WHOLES
Deterministic systems will not explore all possible ensemble states
by Paul Grobstein, in consultation with colleagues in Bryn Mawr Biology 367, Computational Models of Biological Organization: Sarah Blankenship, Jane Lui, Jeff Oristaglio, Jennifer Santos, Beth Tinker. Original, spring 1995. Updated 7/28/97.
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Auteur(s) : Paul Grobstein et al.
Concepteur(s) : J. Le Fur
Webmaster(s) : ßytemån
Agent n°37, Créé le : 24/04/98, Contrôlé le :