meta-systems, complexity, and emergence kent d. palmer cser 2008 080404 [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
Meta-Systems, Complexity, and Emergence
Kent D. Palmer
CSER 2008
080404
http://archonic.net http://holonomic.net
Papers for CSER Conference
• The Failure of Systems Engineering as an approach toward Complex Adaptive Systems in our major Customer’s Eyes: – Analysis of the Capstone Concept for Joint
Operations and its relation to Meta-systems Theory
• Emergence and Complexity in relation to General Schemas Theory– A point of discussion within the Systems Science
Enabler Technical Working Group of INCOSE
Meta-system Primer• This brief primer will help readers to
understand the papers associated with this conference
• In order to understand the points of my paper it is necessary to explain Meta-systems in relation to Systems
• Meta-systems offer a different way to look at things than Systems
Two different Schemas
Meta-System ≠ System of Systems
System
(Super-system)
Sub-system
What is a Schema
• A projected organization of envelopes of spacetime which is a template for the pre-understanding of perceptual objects
• The term “System” is over-used and has lost its meaning. To get that meaning back we must compare it with other similar concepts of the same type that have a family resemblance but at different scales
• The history of the term Schema is discussed by Umberto Eco in Kant and the Platypus– By Schema we mean what he calls the “Mathematical and
Geometrical Schemas,” not the many other meanings of the term he mentions. This is the most basic type of schema, i.e. the type that allows us to reference an object in spacetime.
System and Meta-system Formalization
Turning MachineRepresentation
(Gurevich Abstract State Machine)
System“Application”
Normal Turing MachineSystem dynamics
with negative feedback
Meta-system“Operating System”
Universal Turing MachineSystem dynamics
with positive feedback
Bataille “Accursed Share”
• General Economy• Meta-system• International waters• Lawlessness of the
high seas• Piracy, reflaging
ships, contraband and smuggling
• Restricted Economy• System• Nation states control
what is within their borders, ideally
• Really the state is a meta-system inside = black and grey markets, barter and gift
Nested Systems and Meta-systems
Russian Dolls:Shells are systemsSpaces are meta-systems
Meta-system Characteristics+ Positive Feedback +
- Positive Feedback -
SYSTEM
Negative feedback loop
Singularity >
Folds continuity and discontinuity(Rene Thom Catastrophe Theory)
Meta-System Partitions
System
Anti-System
Origin Sink
Source
BoundaryHorizon
ARENA
Perceptual / Conceptual
• Gestalt– System
• Flow – Process
• Proto-gestalt– Meta-system
• Proto-flow– Meta-process
Open-Scape
HORIZON
G
G
G
G
No movementOne point of view
PG
PG=Proto-gestaltG= Gestalt
Gestalt vs Flow
Referencein background
FlowingIn Foreground
Background
foreground
Proto-gestalt / Proto-flow
G
G
G
G
PGF
F
FF
Streams in a River
Static-dynamic Dynamic-Static
view view
viewview
PF=Proto-flowF= Flow
PF
Bank
Bank
Reference Line
Emergence and Complexity are Orthogonal
• It is possible to have both simplicity and Emergence, such as in atoms
• It is possible to have both complexity and de-emergence which some call complications.
• We normally see dynamic complexity leading to emergent effects but this is not an intrinsic relation between the two properties
Complex systems do not capture the concept of the meta-system
Systems Theory
Complex Systems
Complex Adaptive Systems
Chaotic Systems
Meta-systems Theory
Complex Meta-systems
Complex Adaptive Meta-systems
Chaotic Meta-systems
Emergence and Schemas are Orthogonal
• Any Schema (System or Meta-system) can either be seen as emergent or de-emergent
• De-emergence or Emergence can be upward or downward in the self-nesting of a single schema
• The transition to another schema from a particular schema can either be emergent or supervenient
• Supervenience means homeomorphic without new emergent properties appearing
• Sub-venience is mapping in the opposite direction, down instead of up
Em
erge
nce
De-
Em
erge
nce
Complexity
Simplification
Schem
a
Met
a-sc
hem
a
Super
-Sch
ema
Sub-s
chem
a
Reduction
Complication
Sup
erve
nien
ce
Sub
veni
ence
Nestin
g of S
chem
as
Transi
tion b
etwee
n Sch
emas
Homeomorphism
Essential Difference as Novelty
Set to Mass TransitionSet to Set or Mass to MassTransition
STARTSTART
Pick:Position in Hierarchy of Schemas
Complexity/Complication ratioSameness/Difference ratio
Exploring the Design Landscape
Nestin
g of S
chem
asTra
nsitio
n bet
wee
n Sch
emas
Ho
meo
mo
rph
ism
Ess
enti
al D
iffe
ren
ce
Set to Mass TransitionSet to Set or Mass to Mass InitialInitial DesignDesign
FinalFinalDesignDesign
AlternativeAlternativeDesignDesign
AlternativeAlternativeDesignDesign
SE should be grounded on Systems Theory
Systems Engineering Discipline
Systems Theory
Complementary Disciplines
Systems Engineering
Discipline
Systems Theory
Meta-systems Engineering
Discipline
Meta-systems Theory
Emergent Engineering
Emergent Engineering
EXCESS
LACK
Produces
Emergence
or
De-emergence
Regardless of Schema
System/Meta-system vs Emergence/De-emergence
Emergent System
Emergent Meta-SystemDe-emergent System
De-emergent Meta-systemMove to the outer environment
Move to the inner environment An environment with emergent properties of its own without
becoming a system
Next higher or lower level of system
Hierarchy of Schemas
PluriverseKosmos
WorldDomain
Meta-systemReflexive social
Autopoietic SymbioticDissipative Ordering
SystemForm
PatternMonad
Facet
Emergent Engineering deals with all the schematic levels within reach of experience
ExperientialScaffolding
Schemas and Dimensions
Pluriverse 8 to 9 Kosmos 7 to 8 World 6 to 7
Domain 5 to 6Meta-system 4 to 5
System 3 to 4 Form 2 to 3
Pattern 1 to 2 Monad 0 to 1
Facet -1 to 0
General Rule: Two dimensions per Schema and Two Schemas per dimension
String Theory 10 -- 11Heterochronic 12 --14
Max area
Max volume
Hyper-sphere volumesand areas
infinity
Holonomic Systems
Meta-system = Whole less than the sum of its parts
Reflexive
Autopoietic
Dissipative
System = Whole greater than sum of is parts
Special System = Whole exactly equal to sum of parts
Emergent Meta-system
Sed
enio
n A
lgeb
raZ
ero
Div
isor
s
Oct
onio
n A
lgeb
ra
Qua
tern
ion
Alg
ebra
Com
plex
A
lgeb
ra
Rea
l A
lgeb
ra
<<lost conjugate
<< lost commutative<< lost associative
<< lost division
Lower Energy
