The Future of the Natural Systems Sciences

Abstract

This paper is the latest in a series that taken together provide an historical and taxonomic panorama of the new sciences of “system ness ” or complexity. It does not try to discriminate between the three or four major domains of the systems sciences. It does not try to define the uses and abuses of, and confusion between, the terms “ system, ” “ systems analysis, ” “ sciences of complexity, ” “ science of chaos, ” “ general systems theory, ” “ system science, ” or “ the systems sciences. ” Instead, it regards all of these activities and the holistic intellectual movements that feed into them, as one, as yet unsynthesized and unintegrated superspecialty. This paper assumes that there is sufficient similarity in all “ mature ” systems that transference of descriptive models, diagnosis of problems, prescription of remedies, and cross-application or cross-fertilization of tools and methods is not only desirable, but is in fact urgently needed. It also assumes that a significant increase of knowledge of natural systems will enable a much more mature social application of that knowledge. So, while the focus of the paper is on natural systems, it should be of use to both natural and social scientists. One special caveat is necessary. The organizers of the World Congress reąuested the specific title of this paper. They and the author realize that no one person can adequately capture the potential of a new field. We apologize in advance for any omissions or errors you discover.