Understanding Complexity

by Ragsdell, Gillian; Wilby, Jennifer

• ISBN13: 9780306465864
• ISBN10: 0306465868
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-08-01
• Publisher: Plenum Pub Corp

Summary

This book is a commemorative volume of the World Congress of Systems Science and ISSS, Toronto, Canada, and includes written summaries of the specially featured Keynote, plenary, and symposia presentations from a unique gathering of many of the leaders of the systems science movement. These distinguished contributors address the common theme of complexity, and the management of complex systems, from the perspective of many different disciplines.

Table of Contents

Section One -- Theories for Complex Systems
The Systemic View of the World: The f Logo of General Systems Research	3	(4)
Anatol Rapoport
Systems Science Fundamental Principles	7	(8)
James R. Simms
A Cosmological Imperative: Emergence of Information, Complexity and Life	15	(4)
Eric J. Chaisson
The Co-Creation Hypothesis	19	(12)
Hector Sabelli
What is Infodynamics?	31	(10)
Stan Salthe
Section Two -- Emerging Foci on Systems Research and Practice
The History on Sociocybernetics, RC51, of the International Sociological Association	41	(4)
Richard Lee
Systems Practice at the United Kingdom's Open University	45	(10)
Ray L. Ison
The WOSC and some Views about Cybernetics	55	(4)
Robert Vallee
Presentation of Wiener Gold Medal to Dr. Candace Pert	59	(6)
Stafford Beer
Section Three -- Human Systems in the 21st Century
On Misdirected Systems	65	(10)
Russell L. Ackoff
John Pourdehnad
The Complexity of Performance and the Instruments of Mastery	75	(8)
Paul C. Wohlmuth
Understanding Imperfection	83	(8)
Martin Zwick
Engaging with Transient Complexity in Development Projects	91	(12)
John Friend
Meaning Networks and Verbal Communication: A Semiotic Perspective of Human Discourse	103	(16)
Marcel Danesi
Can Religion be Reconciled with Science?	119	(8)
John F. Haught
Section Four -- The Challenge of Sustainability
The Bridge of Humanity's Future	127	(12)
Willard R. Fey
Ann C. W. Lam
Energy, Hierarchy and Money	139	(10)
Howard T. Odum
Capitalism in the New Millennium: The Challenge of Sustainability	149	(8)
Bill Shireman
Section Five -- The Art and Science of Forecasting in the Age of Global Warming
Technological Forecasting and Assessment Tools: The Changing Scene	157	(8)
Harold A. Linstone
Forecasting the Innovation of Complex Technologies	165	(8)
Don E. Kash
Robert Rycroft
Making Technology Foresight (and Systems Studies?) Useful	173	(10)
Alan L. Porter
Section Six -- Y2K
Why the Century Date Change Occurred So Smoothly	183	(8)
Stuart A. Umpleby
Implications for the Security of the International Information Infrastructure	191	(10)
Olivia Bosch
Y2K -- ``Ten Months After'': Two ``Double Binds'' and a ``Double Blindness''	201	(18)
Karl H. Muller
Section Seven -- The Future of Systems Science
The Future of the Natural Systems Sciences	219	(20)
Len R. Troncale
Systems Thinking and the Social Sciences	239	(10)
Mike C. Jackson
Systems Thinking for the 21st Century	249	(8)
Gerald Midgley
OR 2000: Challenges and Prescriptions for the New Millennium	257	(14)
Stig C. Holmberg
Section Eight -- ISSS Presidential Addresses
The Systems Movement and ISSS in the New Millennium	271	(6)
G. A. Swanson
The Systems Sciences in the Year 3000	277	(6)
Peter A. Corning
Continuing the Traditions of ISSS -- Systems Science in the Service of Humanity	283	(6)
Harold Nelson
Index	289