What are complex systems? This is the fundamental question, in my opinion, that should guide those who have decided to read Ignazio Licata's book, a theoretical physicist at the Institute for Scientific Methodology in Palermo and a visiting professor at the Research Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics of Maragha in Iran.
The author, to this question, provides various answers, more or less complicated. Among these there are two in particular that I liked for their ability to summarize:
- the first says that "a system is complex when it shows a plurality of behaviors that require multiple models to be described";
- the second says that "a complex system is a system that requires dynamic model management".
Both definitions make us understand that we are dealing with something very particular.
Indeed the category of complex systems, also called "middle ground", includes superfluids, companies, animal societies, living systems, crystals and so on ...
For Licata "the social and economic systems, and the cognitive factor that animates them, are radically more complex systems".
The study of complex systems is therefore a modern challenge that must be faced with the awareness that it is not possible to apply a model to find a solution to a problem but instead to use a strategy, use different partial models and make use of one's own experience and knowledge. Ultimately, in a complex system it is more important to study the relationships between the components of the system and the changes in relationships over time than the individual components.
To conclude, I invite you to face reading with the knowledge that the book, "Complexity, a simple introduction", will allow you to get closer to that "middle ground" that is gaining more and more interest in the real world as it can help us better understand the dynamics of our society. To do it consciously, however, it is good to take a look at the cloud of words I built (in a non-scientific way!) Based on the book, my previous knowledge and my goals.
Glocalization Big Data Gnoseology model
Shareholders Ethics Epistemology
Complex Systems Semantic Butterfly Effect
Quantum Physics Coopetition Chaos
Syntax Strategy
Enjoy the reading!
Alessandro Rugolo
