Abstract
This chapter starts by looking at complex systems theory and, more importantly, complex adaptive systems theory; these systems are defined, their features are outlined and the items that make up the systems are described. Important phenomena such as boundaries and balance are addressed. It is also shown how complex systems theory fits in with other systems theories. An important point in this chapter is the introduction of supercomplex systems and, more precisely, supercomplex adaptive systems and the characteristics of them. It is important to understand these systems and how they work as they are developed in detail in the subsequent chapters. This chapter ends with a section outlining how the term supercomplexity has been used in other work and how it is used in this book.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
In some work by Baianu the term ultracomplex was used but it seems that supercomplex has become the adopted term for frequent use.
References
Arnold, R., and J. Wade. 2015. A definition of systems thinking: A systems approach. Procedia Computer Science 44: 669–678.
Baicchi, A. 2015. Construction learning as a complex adaptive system. Cham: Springer.
Baianu, I., and R. Poli. 2011. From simple to complex and ultra-complex systems: A paradigm shift towards non-abelian systems dynamics. Champaign, IL: University of Illinois at Urbana, Trento University and Mitteleuropa Foundation.
Barnett, R. 2014. The university in an age of supercomplexity: Challenges and possibilities. London: Institute of Education.
Cabej, N. 2015. Building the most complex structure on Earth: An epigenetic narrative of development and evolution of animals. Academic Press and Elsevier: Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Boston, MA.
Chan, S. 2001. Complex adaptive systems. ESD.83 Research Seminar in Engineering Systems.
Cilliers, P. 2016. Boundaries, hierarchies and networks in complex systems. In Critical Complexity, ed. PaulHG Cilliers, 85–96. Berlin: De Gruyter.
Cilliers, P. 2001. Boundaries, hierarchies and networks in complex systems. International Journal of Innovation Management 5 (2): 135–147.
Crowcroft, J. 2019. Introduction to network theory. [Online] Available at https://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/teaching/1011/PrincComm/slides/graph_theory_1-11.pdf. Accessed 22 March 2019.
Colchester, J. 2016. Innovation home—Systems innovation. Systems Innovation. [Online] Available at https://complexitylabs.io/complex-system/?print-posts=word. Accessed 22 March 2019.
Cottingham, J., R. Stoothoff, and D. Murdoch. 1985. The philosophical writings of descartes. Cambridge [Cambridgeshire]: Cambridge University Press.
Davis, B., D. Sumara, and R. Luce-Kapler. 2008. Engaging minds. New York: Routledge.
Dodder, R., and R. Dare. 2000. Complex adaptive systems and complexity theory: Inter-related knowledge domains. Cambridge: Complex Adaptive Systems and Complexity Theory: Inter-related Knowledge Domains by Rebecca Dodder and Robert DareESD.83: Research Seminar in Engineering Systems Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Ducard, G. 2017. Modeling and analysis of dynamic systems. Zürich: Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control.
Farnam Street. 2019. An introduction to complex adaptive systems. [Online] Available at https://fs.blog/2014/04/mental-model-complex-adaptive-systems/. Accessed 22 March 2019.
Fausto-Sterling, Anne. 2016. On the critiques of the concept of sex: An interview with Anne Fausto-Sterling. differences 27 (1): 189–205.
Fivaz, R. 1994. The nature of order in complex systems. Systems Research 11: 43–65.
Green, D. 2016. How change happens. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hayes, F. 2018. Shaked, H., and Schechter, C. (2017). Systems thinking for school leaders: Holistic leadership for excellence in education. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. Leadership and Policy in Schools 17 (4): 647–649.
Hayward, L., S. Higgins, K. Livingston, and D. Wyse. 2017. Living with supercomplexity. The Curriculum Journal 28 (2): 155–157.
Holmes, P. 2008. History of mathematics—A short history of dynamical systems theory: 1885–2007. Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ.
Hoogduin, Lex. 2016. Complexity, uncertainty and economic policy. Paper prepared for the OECD-EC-INET Oxford Workshop on Complexity and Policy, 29–30 September, OECD HQ, Paris.
Kramsch, C. 2012. Why is everyone so excited about complexity theory in applied linguistics? Mélanges CRAPEL 33 (Special Edition): 10–24.
Lambert, David. 1999. Geography and moral education in a super complex world: The significance of values education and some remaining dilemmas. Philosophy & Geography 2 (1): 5–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668799908573652.
Larsen-Freeman, D. 2013. Complexity theory: A new way to think. Revista Brasileira de LinguÃstica Aplicada 13 (2): 369–373.
Lin, Y., X. Duan, C. Zhao, and L. Xu. 2013. Systems science: Methodological approaches (Advances in Systems Science and Engineering (ASSE)), 1st ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Louie, A. 2010. Robert Rosen’s anticipatory systems. Foresight 12 (3): 18–29.
Mazzola, T., and D. Nelson. 2014. Systems theory. [Online] Available at https://www.slideserve.com/ray-dorsey/csc551-systems-theory-living-systemstheory.
Meadows, D.H. 2008. Thinking in systems: A primer. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing.
Mitchell, S. 2003. Biological complexity and integrative pluralism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Moreno, Y. 2014. Complex systems and networks. [Online] Available at https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/ern/docs/ev_20140623_co03_en.pdf.
New England Complex Systems Institute. 2019. Concepts: Adaptive—New England complex systems institute. [Online] Available at http://www.necsi.edu/guide/concepts/adaptive.html. Accessed 22 March 2019.
Osberg, D., G. Biesta, and P. Cilliers. 2008. From representation to emergence: Complexity’s challenge to the epistemology of schooling. Educational Philosophy and Theory 40 (1): 213–227.
Perone, S., and Simmering, V. 2017. Applications of dynamic systems theory to cognition and development. Advances in Child Development and Behavior 52: 43–80.
Pinazo-Calatayud, D. 2006. An approach to the study of emotions As complex dynamical systems. Electronic Magazine of Motivation and Emotion 9 (22): 1–25.
Rickles, D., P. Hawe, and A. Shiell. 2007. A simple guide to chaos and complexity. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 61 (11): 933–7.
Rosen, R. 1985. Anticipatory systems. New York: Pergamon Press.
Sevaldson, B. 2011. Giga-mapping: Visualisation for complexity and systems thinking in design. Oslo: Oslo School of Architecture and Design, Ocean Design Research Association.
Smith, L., and E. Thelen. 2003. Development as a dynamic system. Trends in Cognitive Sciences 7 (8): 343–348.
Spirkin, A. 1983. Dialectical materialism. Moscow: Progress Publishers.
Stave, K.A., Hopper, M. 2008. Assessing the effectiveness of systems thinking interventions in the classroom. 26th International Conference of the System Dynamics Society.
Times Higher Education (THE). 2019. New life amid chaos. [Online] Available at https://www.timeshighereducation.com/books/new-life-amid-chaos/156411.article. Accessed 22 March 2019.
Tyers, D. 2015. Using dynamic systems theory as a conceptual framework to understand the interaction of culture and language in language education. 15th IALIC Conference Intercultural Communication in Social Practice.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Orange, V. (2019). Complex and Supercomplex Adaptive Systems. In: Supercomplexity in Interaction. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28018-5_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28018-5_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Pivot, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-28017-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-28018-5
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)