Introduction

Abstract

Over the past thirty years, the use of the term complexity has grown exponentially in parallel across several scientific disciplines. As with other innovative labels, however, this term has not always been understood in the same way by its many users. Nor has it been applied in the same way to different aspects of reality. For this reason, the title of this book makes use of the plural word perspectives in reference to complexity, leaving no doubt that there is more than one perspective at work. Our intention, however, is not to suggest that the term complexity, in its various scientific uses, does not share points in common which contribute toward building a coherent approach. A look over the authors gathered here will show that, despite their differing fields and countries, they share similar concerns and questions, which have led them to formulate new concepts and test new theoretical approaches and methodologies in their pursuit of knowledge.