Philosophy of Complex Systems (Volume 10) (Handbook of the Philosophy of Science, Volume 10)

The domain of nonlinear dynamical systems and its mathematical underpinnings has been developing exponentially for a century, the last 35 years seeing an outpouring of new ideas and applications and a concomitant confluence with ideas of complex systems and their applications from irreversible thermodynamics. A few examples are in meteorology, ecological dynamics, and social and economic dynamics. These new ideas have profound implications for our understanding and practice in domains involving complexity, predictability and determinism, equilibrium, control, planning, individuality, responsibility and so on.Our intention is to draw together in this volume, we believe for the first time, a comprehensive picture of the manifold philosophically interesting impacts of recent developments in understanding nonlinear systems and the unique aspects of their complexity. The book will focus specifically on the philosophical concepts, principles, judgments and problems distinctly raised by work in the domain of complex nonlinear dynamical systems, especially in recent years. -Comprehensive coverage of all main theories in the philosophy of Complex Systems -Clearly written expositions of fundamental ideas and concepts -Definitive discussions by leading researchers in the field -Summaries of leading-edge research in related fields are also included Philosophy of Complex Systems ......Page 2 Copyright ......Page 5 General Preface ......Page 6 List of Contributors ......Page 8 Part I: General Foundations ......Page 16 Introduction to Philosophy of Complex Systems: A ......Page 18 Systems and Process Metaphysics ......Page 106 Metaphysical and Epistemological Issues in Complex Systems ......Page 120 Computing and Complexity—Networks, Nature and Virtual Worlds ......Page 152 Evolutionary Games and the Modeling of Complex Systems ......Page 178 General System Theory ......Page 192 Conceptualising Reduction, Emergence and Self-Organisation in Complex Dynamical Systems ......Page 210 Challenged by Instability and Complexity... ......Page 238 Part II: Biology ......Page 270 Complex Biologıcal Mechanisms: Cyclic, Oscillatory, and Autonomous ......Page 272 On Causality in Nonlinear Complex Systems: The Developmentalist Perspective ......Page 302 The Impact of the Paradigm of Complexity on the Foundational Frameworks of Biology and Cognitive Science ......Page 326 Complexity in Organismal Evolution ......Page 350 The Complexity of Cell-Biological Systems ......Page 370 Part III: Ecology ......Page 402 Constructing Post-Classical Ecosystems Ecology ......Page 404 Complex Ecological Systems ......Page 436 Part IV: Engineering ......Page 456 Behavior and Cognition as a Complex Adaptive System: Insights from Robotic Experiments ......Page 458 Part V: Climatology ......Page 480 The Complex Dyanmics of the Climate System: Constraints on our Knowledge, Policy Implications and The Necessity of Systems Thinking ......Page 482 Part VI: Economics ......Page 522 Economic Systems ......Page 524 Econophysics and the Complexity of Financial Markets ......Page 546 Part VII: Anthropology ......Page 582 Complexity and Anthropology ......Page 584 Part VIII: Psychology ......Page 618 Dynamics of the Process of Development ......Page 620 Living in the Pink: Intentionality, Wellbeing, and Complexity ......Page 644 Part IX: Medicine ......Page 688 Chinese Medicine and Complex Systems Dynamics ......Page 690 Part X: Military Science ......Page 736 Military Applications of Complex Systems ......Page 738 Part XI: Public Policy / Management ......Page 796 Complexity and Management ......Page 798 Complex Systems Dynamics and Sustainability: Conception, Method and Policy ......Page 824 Part XII: Philosophy of Science ......Page 854 Introduction to Philosophy of Complex Systems ......Page 856 Index ......Page 926 The domain of nonlinear dynamical systems and its mathematical underpinnings has been developing exponentially for a century, the last 35 years seeing an outpouring of new ideas and applications and a concomitant confluence with ideas of complex systems and their applications from irreversible thermodynamics. A few examples are in meteorology, ecological dynamics, and social and economic dynamics. These new ideas have profound implications for our understanding and practice in domains involving complexity, predictability and determinism, equilibrium, control, planning, individuality, responsibility and so on.

Our intention is to draw together in this volume, we believe for the first time, a comprehensive picture of the manifold philosophically interesting impacts of recent developments in understanding nonlinear systems and the unique aspects of their complexity. The book will focus specifically on the philosophical concepts, principles, judgments and problems distinctly raised by work in the domain of complex nonlinear dynamical systems, especially in recent years.

-Comprehensive coverage of all main theories in the philosophy of Complex Systems

-Clearly written expositions of fundamental ideas and concepts

-Definitive discussions by leading researchers in the field

-Summaries of leading-edge research in related fields are also included

The domain of nonlinear dynamical systems and its mathematical underpinnings has been developing exponentially for a century, the last 35 years seeing an outpouring of new ideas and applications and a concomitant confluence with ideas of complex systems and their applications from irreversible thermodynamics. A few examples are in meteorology, ecological dynamics, and social and economic dynamics. These new ideas have profound implications for our understanding and practice in domains involving complexity, predictability and determinism, equilibrium, control, planning, individuality, responsibility and so on. Our intention is to draw together in this volume, we believe for the first time, a comprehensive picture of the manifold philosophically interesting impacts of recent developments in understanding nonlinear systems and the unique aspects of their complexity. The book will focus specifically on the philosophical concepts, principles, judgments and problems distinctly raised by work in the domain of complex nonlinear dynamical systems, especially in recent years. -Comprehensive coverage of all main theories in the philosophy of Complex Systems -Clearly written expositions of fundamental ideas and concepts -Definitive discussions by leading researchers in the field -Summaries of leading-edge research in related fields are also included