Cybernetics & Systems Science (2.729 members)
Systems Theory or Systems Science argues that however complex or diverse the world that we experience, we will always find different types of organization in it, and such organization can be described by concepts and principles which are independent from the specific domain at which we are looking. Hence, if we would uncover those general laws, we would be able to analyse and solve problems in any domain, pertaining to any type of system. The systems approach distinguishes itself from the more traditional analytic approach by emphasizing the interactions and connectedness of the different components of a system. Although the systems approach in principle considers all types of systems, it in practices focuses on the more complex, adaptive, self-regulating systems which we might call “cybernetic”. In fact, cybernetics and systems theory study essentially the same problem, that of organization independent of the substrate in which it is embodied. Since structure and function of a system cannot be understood in separation it is clear that cybernetics and systems theory should be viewed as two facets of a single approach.