Complex (Self-Organizing) Systems

"A complex system is one whose component parts interact with sufficient intricacy that they cannot be predicted by standard linear equations; so many variables are at work in the system that its overall behavior can only be understood as an emergent consequence of the holistic sum of all the myriad behaviors embedded within. ... the whole is more than the sum of its parts."
(Artificial Life by Steven Levy, 1993, p.8.)


Complexity : the Edge of Chaos

Wolfram's four classes

(Images of Class)

直感的イメージ)

Class I Constant
定常

Ocean bottom
海の底

Class II Periodic
周期的

Tidal pool
潮の水たまり

Class III Chaotic
カオス的

Crashing surf
砕け散る波しぶき

Class IV Complex
複雑系的

Coral reef
珊瑚礁

Class I: Class one cellular automata are based on simple rules. They have the tendency to die out after a few generations.

Class II: Class two cellular automata are based on periodic rules. They start out randomly but quickly become periodic. This can be seen in their repeating pattern.

Class III: Class three cellular automata are based on random rules. They have the distinct appearance of having basically junk on the screen with no definable shapes.

Class IV: Class four cellular automata are based on complex rules. Complex because no one really knows the criteria for it to be considered a complex rule.

Class I

Class III

Class IV


Chris Langton's Edge of Chaos

Fixed -->
(Class I)

Periodic -->
(Class II)

Complex -->
(Class IV)

Chaotic
(Class III)


Artificial Life

Cellular Automata


Two Paradigms of Systems
2つのシステム・パラダイム

Cybernetics
サイバネティックス

Automata
オートマータ

Macro behavior
マクロ行動

Micro behavior
ミクロ行動

Rational and intelligible
合理的で理解可能

Unintelligible, unpredictable
理解不可能、予想不可能

Direct causal relations
直接の因果関係

No direct causality
直接の因果関係なし

Direct feedback
直接のフィードバック

Reciprocal feedback
相互フィードバック

Explanation and prediction
解釈と予想可能

Explanation but no prediction
解釈可能だが予想不可能

Possibilty of control
制御可能

Surprising, creative, innovative
不意打ち的、創造的、革新的

Model of mechanical systems
力学システムのモデル

Model of living ecologies
生命生態学のモデル

(American Management ?)
(アメリカ的経営?)

(Japanese Management ?)
(日本的経営?)


Implications of Chaos and Complexity
カオス・複雑系の意味するもの