The systems view of the world : the natural philosophy of the new developments in the sciences / Ervin Laszlo

The book begins contrasting the systems view of the world, based on integrating an understanding of relationships with the atomistic view of the world that concentrates on parts. Laszlo then presents the concept of system, leading the reader through a series of distinctions and examples. It is interesting to remark that Laszlo does not define "system". Laszlo follows with the explanation of the systems view of nature, summarized in four propositions: 1. Natural systems are wholes with irreducible properties; 2. Natural systems maintain themselves in a changing environment; 3. Natural systems create themselves in response to self-creativity in other systems; 4. Natural systems are coordinating interfaces in nature's holarchy.